Sharon Endebak

Science Concept:

Sulfur is non-polar and water is polar. This demonstration shows that non-polar and polar objects will not interact.

Materials:

1 liter beaker

water

sulfur powder

Calgon water softener

Directions:

1. Fill the beaker with water.

2. Sprinkle the sulfur powder on the water so it covers most of the water surface.

Make sure that the sulfur powder is not in large clumps as this can affect the demonstration.

3. Gently sprinkle the Calgon water softener on top of the sulfur powder.

Introduction:

Have you ever sat around on a hot summer day wishing for snow? Well, now you can have your wish come true.

Explanation:

Water molecules are polar so they join to resemble a screen. Since there is surface tension between the water molecules, the sulfur floats on top of the water. In addition, water is polar and the sulfur has the opposite property of non-polar, the two do not mix and the sulfur just sits on the surface of the water.

The Calgon water softener molecules have one polar end and one non-polar end. When the water softener is sprinkled on top of the sulfur, the non-polar end joins with the sulfur and the polar end joins with the water. This bridges the water and sulfur together and decreases or breaks the surface tension of the water. This bridging then causes the sulfur to sink through the water because the sulfur is now more dense than the water.

Safety:

Although caution should always be taken in the lab, there is nothing harmful in this demonstration.

Disposal:

This mixture can be disposed of in the lab sink when the demonstration is completed

Reference:

Science Demonstration, Elmhurst College, 2000