Where is the Water

This experiment demonstrate the magic of the chemistry. It demonstrates water disappearance which is actually absorbed by a polymer.

Materials
Two 250 mL bottles, aluminum foil, glass rod-magic wand

Chemicals
Deionized water, superabsorbent polymer for water (sodium polyacrylate, you can find sold as “fake snow” or “instant snow” in many shops during the winter)

Experimental

• Use two identical bottles.
• Fill one with deionized water.
• Add 1.5-2 g of the polymer in the other dry bottle before the performance of the experiment.
•  During the “performance” show one bottle with water and the other “empty”.
• Wrap the “empty” – magic bottle with aluminum foil (Fig. 1).
• Transfer the water to the magic bottle .

Fig. 1. Experimental bottles

Fig. 2. No water is observed

• You need at least 60 seconds for magic “to work”. Tell some story about magic, use the magic want and magic words. Track the time!
• After that, slowly, turn the magic bottle upside down (Fig. 2).
• Aks the audience where is the water?

Observation and Discussion

If you remove the aluminum foil you can reveal the reason for water disappearance (Fig. 3). The water is absorbed by the polymer. Water superabsorbent polymers are polymers that can absorb and retain a large amount of water. They are used in diapers to absorb the urine. Sodium polyacrylate can absorb between 100 and 300 times its mass of water.

Fig. 3. The bottle with the gel