Experiment 28

Objective:

 To create a light, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly glue from household products.

Introduction:

This experiment demonstrates how to make a simple, homemade glue using common ingredients like flour and water. Unlike commercial adhesives such as Elmer's Glue, which are made from synthetic chemicals, this glue is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

Required Materials:

All-purpose flourWaterJar with a lidSpoonBrushNewspaper

Procedure:

1.  Mix one cup of flour with half a cup of water in the jar. Stir the mixture well with the spoon until smooth—this becomes your glue.

2.  Apply the glue mixture to pieces of newspaper, brushing it on the edges, and press them together to form different shapes.

3.  Let the glued newspaper sit for about 15 to 30 minutes to dry.

Observation:

As the glue dries, the water in the mixture evaporates, causing the glue to harden. This is a similar process to what happens when Elmer's Glue is exposed to air for too long and hardens as the water content evaporates.

Questions:

1.  After your newspaper has dried, what happens when you lightly tug on the glued section? Does it come apart easily, or does it stick well?

2.  Compare the strength of your homemade glue to store-bought glue. Try using Elmer's glue (or another commercial glue) on another piece of newspaper. Let both dry and then compare the strength of the two.

3. Is one glue stronger than the other? If so, which glue is stronger: the homemade glue or the store-bought one?