Floating Art - The Science of Dry Erase Pens - Science Minute

Key Concepts:

• Permanent marker (Sharpie) vs. Dry erase marker: Different polymer compositions leading to different adhesion properties.
• Acrylic polymer: Binding resin in permanent markers that adheres strongly to surfaces.
• Silicone oily polymer: Polymer in dry erase markers that allows for easy removal.
• Density: The ink's density relative to water is crucial for the floating effect.

Experiment and Explanation:

The video demonstrates an experiment where a drawing made with a dry erase marker on a smooth surface (likely glass or ceramic) is floated on water. The key principle is the difference in polymer composition between permanent and dry erase markers.

• Permanent Markers: Contain an acrylic polymer, a binding resin designed to strongly adhere to surfaces, making the ink permanent.
• Dry Erase Markers: Contain a silicone oily polymer. This polymer prevents the ink from permanently binding to the surface, allowing it to be easily wiped away.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Drawing: A simple drawing (stick figure) is created on a smooth, non-porous surface using a dry erase marker.
2. Water Introduction: Room temperature water is carefully poured onto the drawing.
3. Ink Lifting: The water interacts with the silicone oily polymer in the dry erase ink, causing the ink to detach from the surface.
4. Floating: The detached ink, being less dense than water, floats to the surface, preserving the shape of the drawing.

Scientific Principles:

The experiment highlights the importance of polymer chemistry and density. The silicone oily polymer in the dry erase marker is key to the ink's non-permanent nature. The ink's lower density compared to water allows it to float once detached.

Notable Statements:

• "Anybody's ever mistaken a permanent marker like this Sharpie for this dry erase over here? Well, you know that when you draw on something, your words of wisdom become indelible, permanent, right?" - This introduces the common problem and the contrasting properties of the two marker types.
• "It actually begins to lift up the ink. Look at this. It lifts up the ink." - This describes the visual phenomenon of the ink detaching from the surface.
• "And the little guy floats as well because that oily silicone polymer that's there. And that ink is lighter than the water." - This explains the reason behind the floating effect.

Conclusion:

The video demonstrates a simple yet engaging experiment that illustrates the contrasting properties of permanent and dry erase markers. The experiment showcases the role of polymer chemistry and density in determining the behavior of the ink when exposed to water, resulting in a floating drawing. The main takeaway is that the silicone oily polymer in dry erase markers, combined with the ink's lower density than water, allows for the ink to detach and float, creating a visually appealing effect.