I.M.S. SCIENCE              NAME: _____________PERIOD: ___ DATE:_____

Super Flame Stopper Lab: Polymers

Safety Note: Do not inhale.

 

Background: The National Science foundation funds testing of materials that can slow or stop fires from spreading. In the 1960’s 12,000 Americans died in home fires, and by the 1990’s this figure has been reduced to only about 4,000 death’s per year. You will test flame retardants.

 

Materials: Beaker of water, splints (tooth picks), tongs, candle, forceps, safety glasses, graph paper, Aluminum foil

 

  1. Students light a candle.
  2. Test a dry splint, exposing by using tongs. 
  3. Measure the amount of time to ignite the splint.___?___ minutes.
  4. Repeat using a splint soaked for three minutes in distilled water. .____?___ minutes.
  5. Put out burning splint in beaker of water.
  6. Place used splints on Aluminum foil.

 

Substance

Soak Time/minutes

Ignition Time/minutes

Burn Rate:
Slow - Fast

Comments:

Dry Splint

 

0

 

 

 

Wet Splint

 

3

 

 

 

Soapy Splint

 

3

 

 

 

Sodium polyacrylate

3

 

 

 

 

Questions:

  1. Which test group had the longest time prior to ignition?
  2. Which treatment would be best used a s a flame retardant?
  3. Why is it important to include a group of untreated splints?
  4. What are some potential benefits of the use of sodium polyacrylate as a way to retard fires?
  5. What are some potential hazards or dangers of using sodium polyacrylate as a way to retard fires?