Tie-Dye! An Engaging Activity To Introduce Polymers and Polymerization to Beginning Chemistry Students

• A. M. R. P. Bopegedera ^[1]
  1. [1] The Evergreen State College

     The Evergreen State College

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 94, Nº 11, 2017, págs. 1725-1732
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A stand-alone polymer unit, centered on a tie-dye activity, was used to introduce the concept of polymers and the process of polymerization to three different groups of beginning-level chemistry students. This polymer unit consists of three parts. First, each student used a molecular model kit to construct the monomer units, β-d-glucose. Students combined these monomer units to learn the polymerization process and visualize the formation of the cellulose polymer in conjunction with writing the balanced equation for the polymerization reaction. Second, students tie-dyed cotton t-shirts made of cellulose fibers using dyes purchased from local craft stores. Finally, a primary literature exercise engaged students in understanding the chemical reactions that bind the cellulose fibers to the dye molecules permanently, producing a colorfast tie-dyed t-shirt. This stand-alone polymer unit can be used in any beginning college or high school chemistry course to introduce students to polymer chemistry and the process of polymerization. It helped review and reinforce previously learned concepts such as covalent bonding, electronegativity, bond polarity, Lewis structures, bond angles, and molecular geometry using the VSEPR model. As evidenced by the feedback collected from students anonymously after completion of the polymer unit, the three parts in this unit helped them learn the chemistry of polymers and polymerization, and their interest was kindled by the tie-dye activity. The polymer unit was a favorite of students in all three courses.