Slime Science

Slime is a gooey, stretchy substance that kids love to play with. It is also great science. Slime is made by mixing a polymer like glue with an activator like borax solution. The result is a non-Newtonian fluid. That means it does not behave like a normal liquid. It can act like a solid or a liquid.

How Slime Is Made

White glue contains long chains of molecules called polymers. When you add an activator like borax or contact lens solution, it links the polymer chains together. The chains can still slide past each other, which is why slime is stretchy. But they are connected, so the slime holds its shape better than a liquid.

Non-Newtonian Fluids

Slime is called a non-Newtonian fluid. Normal fluids like water always flow the same way. Non-Newtonian fluids change how they flow depending on the force applied. If you pull slime slowly, it stretches. If you pull it quickly, it snaps. Ketchup and quicksand are also non-Newtonian fluids.

Fun Facts

• Oobleck, a mixture of cornstarch and water, is a non-Newtonian fluid that turns solid when you punch it.
• The original slime toy was created by Mattel in 1976 and came in a small trash can.
• Scientists study non-Newtonian fluids to design better body armor and protective gear.

Did You Know?

Quicksand is a non-Newtonian fluid just like slime. The more you struggle in quicksand, the thicker it gets. The best way to escape is to move very slowly and gently!