Abstract
A hands-on activity and demonstration, both applicable to the 2010 National Chemistry Week theme of Behind the Scenes with Chemistry, are presented. In the activity, students compare and contrast the properties of heat conductors and heat insulators. During the demonstration, students learn that water absorbed by a superabsorbent polymer can insulate material from a burning flame. Students also learn about Gary Zeller, a chemist who won an Academy Award for scientific achievement in 1988 for his invention of Zel Jel. Zel Jel is a mixture of water and polymers that is used in the special effects industry to protect actors from being burned when they are set on fire during filming.
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