What is Water Balls? Sodium Polyacrylate and Chemistry!

Описание: Hello everyone. Today I want to tell you about an interesting substance called sodium polyacrylate.
This substance absorbs water very well and is used in many industries.
For example, so-called water breads are made from it.
They are also called "water gel" and are sold in many online stores, such as eBay. I ordered a few pieces and decided to show you what this is.
They’ve sent me such a packet. I ordered colored balls and colorless as well. And as you can see, the beads are fairly small and are composed mainly of sodium polyacrylate.
Also, they may have other compounds impurities. Now, let's see how these water balls swell in water, and how much water the sodium polyacrylate can absorb.
I took two cups and poured 0.5 liters of water into each. I then poured one sachet of water balls into each cup. I poured the colored water balls in one cup, and the colorless ones into the other one.
After some time sodium polyacrylate begins to absorb water and the water balls are gradually increasing. After 4 hours, the water beads have increased by approximately 15 times.
At the touch they resemble jelly or gummy bears. However, transparent balls have very interesting optical properties.
While swelling in water, the refractive index of the water balls becomes the same as waters. Therefore, on a particular background they seem almost invisible in water.
It can look that in the cup, where the balls were, there is only water. However, I lower my hand and I’m magically pulling out a handful of balls from there.
On the internet I saw a lot of videos that show you how to cook water balls, although that practically isn’t possible.
By mixing soda and pepper in a pan you can’t create water balls.
Water beads, made of sodium polyacrylate, are quite fragile. They can be crushed by humans fingers.
Water beads do have a practical use. They are used for pots of flowers as a filler.
Sodium polyacrylate absorbs water very well. For example, you can pour jelly beads in a vase and put flowers there.
Flowers will stand for a long time, as water beads gradually give out their water.
Water balls are also a very good toy for cats. My cat fell in love with these balls and often runs after them. Facebook:   / thoisoi2  
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