======Instant Snow Polymer======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Sodium Polyacrylate Snow
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Place a teaspoon-sized portion of instant snow polymer into a clear cup or tray.
  - Slowly pour water onto the powder (start with ~20–30 mL per gram) and watch it expand into “snow.”
  - Invite students to gently touch the fresh gel and note the temperature sensation.



====Links==== 

Super-absorbent polymers create snow! - Imagination Station Toledo: 
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How Instant Snow Polymer Works - Sick Science!: 
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📄 Instant Snow Polymer - Educational Innovations Inc: [[https://www.teachersource.com/product/instant-snow-polymer]]\\



====Variations====
  * Tint the water with a drop of food coloring to make colored snow.
  * Compare cold vs. warm water on swelling speed and final volume.
  * Test tap vs. distilled vs. salty water and note differences in absorption and reusability.
  * Scale up for a demo (graduated cylinder “eruption”) or down for individual cups.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Do not eat the polymer; keep away from small children and pets.
  * Avoid contact with eyes; wash hands after the activity.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What kind of material is instant snow polymer, and why does it absorb so much water?  
    - It is a cross-linked, hydrophilic polymer (commonly sodium polyacrylate); its network and ionic groups attract and trap water within the gel.
  * Why might freshly hydrated snow feel slightly warm, while an older sample feels cool?  
    - Initial hydration can be slightly exothermic; later, evaporation is endothermic and removes heat, making it feel cool.
  * Is the swelling a chemical or physical change? Explain.  
    - Primarily a physical change (absorption and swelling) since no new substances are formed; the polymer network takes up water.
  * Why does using distilled water help with dehydration and reuse?  
    - Fewer dissolved ions interfere with water release/uptake, so the polymer dries and rehydrates more effectively.