Silicon for Senior Science

hel · Post by **hel** » 31 Oct 2006, 09:50

Hi All,

one of the mandatory pracs for HSC Senior Science requires testing of silicon. Our teacher requested silicon tubing which is quite expensive & out of our budget. What do other schoole do for this prac?

Thanks.
Hel

Whspa · Post by **Whspa** » 31 Oct 2006, 12:33

Hi Hel

We use a silicon putty that comes in a tube and is used as a sealant (eg silastic). I extrude lengths of the putty and leave them to dry and cure. Then the students hang various masses from the ends until the lengths break. I also make balls out of the putty so they can see that it bounces and deforms. The teachers are quite happy with this.
Hope this helps.

Carol

rp · Post by rp » 06 Nov 2006, 08:01

Hi
You can make a "super ball" with sodium silicate and ethanol.
Have fun!
Rhonda