CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TOPIC-
How to keep babies dry ?
SESSION: 2022-23
GUIDED BY PRESENTED BY
Mrs. Anamika Maholay Pragyesh Patel
XII- Science
Roll No………
SYNOPSIS
TITLE PAGE NO.
1. Certificate 3
2. Acknowledgement 4
3. Introduction 5
4. Objective 6
5. Apparatus 6
6. Preparation 7-8
7. Pre-Activity 9
8. Activity 9-10
9. Conclusion 11
10. Bibliography 12
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Pragyesh Patel of class XII
Science has successfully completed the research
on the below mentioned project under the
guidance of Mrs. Anamika Maholay, during the
year 2022-23 in the partial fulfillment of
chemistry practical examination conducted by
AISSCE.
Signature of Signature of
External Examiner Teacher
Signature of Principal School Stamp
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this project successfully,
many people have best owned upon me their
blessings and the heart pledge support this time. I am
utilizing this time to thank all the people who have
concern with project.
Primarily I would thank God for being able to complete
this project with success. I would like to thank my
principal Dr. Shruti Gupta and chemistry teacher Mrs.
Anamika Maholay whose valuable guide has been the
ones that helped me patch this project and make it full
proof success their suggestions and instructions. I
would like to thank the lab attendants Mr. Zafar Sir
and Mr. Rupesh Sir have server as the major
contribution towards the completion of the project.
Then I would like to thank my parents and friends who
have helped me with their valuable suggestions and
guidance has been helped in various phases of the
completion of the project.
INTRODUCTION
A polymer is a large molecule, often containing many
thousands of small molecules joined together chemically
to form one giant molecule. Polymers have many
different properties, some are rigid like a milk bottle, and
some are flexible such as 6- pack rings and sandwich
wrap. Other polymers are goopy like silly putty and slime.
Not all polymers are large; some are very small and just
as effective as the large polymers. If you have ever
changed or watch somebody change a baby’s diaper, you
may have noticed a small, crystal-like powder on the
baby. This non-toxic powder is the polymer used in
diapers designed to keep moisture away from the baby’s
skin. Some polymers are linked together in a process
known as cross-linking. Crosslinking is a process in which
individual polymer chains are linked together to form one
giant molecule. Sometimes, when polymers cross-link,
they will form pores which are holes that form between
the two cross-linked polymers. These pores may hold
materials such as water. A polymer that can hold a large
amount of water is called a gel. When a gel absorbs a
solvent or water, it normally will swell a good deal.
OBJECTIVE
• Isolate the super absorbent polymer in a
disposable diaper.
• Explore how this polymer interacts with water
and how it keeps babies dry.
APPARATUS
• 1 disposable diaper
• Scissors
• Water
• 2 clear plastic cups
• Large, 1 gallon zip-closing plastic bag
• Paper towels
• Food coloring and food coloring dropper
• Measuring spoons
• Tablespoon
PREPARATION
To prepare for this activity, gather disposable
diapers for the polymers. Here are the steps
to remove the polymer:
1. Use the scissors to cut off the edge around
the entire diaper. Place the padded middle
part of the diaper into the zip-closing plastic
bag.
2. Reach into the bag with both hands and
separate the cotton, paper and plastic layers
of the diaper. Leave all of the material in the
bag and then seal the bag and shake it for
about one minute. Then, tilt the bag to one
side and notice white granules collecting in
the corner of the bag.
3. Without opening the bag, move the cotton,
plastic and other large materials towards the
top of the bag. Keep the solid materials near
the top of the bag and shake it, allowing
more of the white granules to move to the
bottom of the bag.
4. Once you have about a teaspoon of
granules in the corner of the bag, slowly
open the bag and remove the large pieces
of material and throw them away. Take the
remaining small, white granules in the
bottom of the bag and pour into one of the
clear, plastic cups. Make sure to wash your
hands after handling this material.
Put the diaper polymers into a plastic cup once
you have separated them from the diaper.
PRE-ACTIVITY
Discuss with the children why they think diapers
are effective in keeping babies dry. Is it because
they are bulky? Is it the absorbent cotton? These
two characteristics of diapers help the comfort of
the baby; however, it is not the main reason that
babies stay dry when they are wearing them.
Inside of the cotton layers, there are small
powder-like polymers that can absorb a lot of
water!
ACTIVITY
Many diaper commercials claim that they are
“super absorbent.” These commercials state that
their diapers have properties that can hold more
water than any other brand. We will now go
inside of a diaper to see how accurate these
statements are. Once the polymer from the
diaper is isolated, the children will experiment
with the polymer to see how absorbent it is.
Caution should be used when handling this
polymer. It is non-toxic; however, it can irritate
the eyes and throat.
• In a plastic cup, place about one cup of water.
Then, add two or three drops of food coloring
and swirl the food coloring in the cup with a
spoon to mix.
• Place 1/2 teaspoon of the powder onto the
center of a paper towel.
• Add one drop of the colored water to the powder
polymers on the paper towel. Continue adding
one drop at a time to the powder and observe
the changes you see in the powder. What do the
powder polymers appear to be doing? How many
drops can you add to the powder before the
water spreads away from the powder onto the
paper towel?
• Take the rest of your granules and pour them into
a dry clear plastic cup. Predict how many
tablespoons of water it will take for the powder
to gel together. Now try it by adding 1 tablespoon
of water at a time. Watch what happens. What
do you observe? How close was your prediction?
• What are some other things super absorbent
polymers might be used for?
CONCLUSION
Polymers can have many different
properties. As we have seen in this
activity, some polymers can cross-link
and hold a great deal of water. The
polymer used in diapers is called
sodium polyacrylate. Sodium
polyacrylate is an amazing water
absorber - it can absorb 200 to 300
times its weight in tap water (even
more if the water is distilled) and hold
it in a gooey gel.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• [Link]
[Link]/als/science/sci_archive/sup
[Link]
• [Link]
oposal/dreyfus/outcome/diaper/diape
[Link]
• COMPREHENSIVE CHEMISTRY
PRACTICAL BOOK
• WIKIPEDIA
