Graphing the Speed of Slime
Students conduct a research-based activity to explore, graph, and evaluate the speed of slime, or how far and at what rate slime stretches. During the activity, the students review the major concepts of graphing speed by stretching gum or silly putty. After reviewing how to create and read speed on a graph, students create a “super-stretchy” slime sample. Students conduct tensile tests to determine the fastest speed the slime can stretch without snapping. Students analyze the slime stretching data by compiling it in a speed graph using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Lastly, students communicate their findings through a poster presentation.
Using Tensile Strength to determine the speed of slime.Copyright 2019 Jamie Sorrell, University of Southern Mississippi RET
Manufactured materials are engineered to withstand certain conditions and to perform within a given set of standards. To ensure that materials meet those standards, engineers execute a variety of tests that push these materials to their farthest limits. For instance, engineers perform tensile strength testing on rubber, plastic, and fabrics to ensure their integrity and flexibility. Like engineers, students apply tensile testing in this activity to determine what the slime’s optimum stretch speed capability. Also like engineers, they compile their results in a readable form by communicate and compare their results in a speed graph.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Use engineering skills to test the tensile strength of slime.
- Identify constants when testing the tensile of the slime.
- Collect quantitative data.
- Compile their quantitative data in a speed graph.
- Discuss the outcome of their results through a verbal interpretation of a speed graph.