Cool Paper Cutting Experiment!
Observe a physical change by using a Paper Chain.
Cool Paper Cutting Experiment!
Purpose
To observe a physical change by using a Paper Chain.
Materials
- Lined notebook paper (not loose leaf - it can't have holes in it)
- Scissors
Procedure
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise, perpendicular to the lines as shown in picture 1 below.
- Look at picture 2 and find the points labeled A and B on your paper. Cut across the folds at points A and B as shown. Be sure to stop cutting about a quarter of an inch away from the open edge!
- Alternating between the open edge and the folded edge, cut along every other printed line on the paper. Make sure to stop cutting a quarter inch from the edge each time.
- Make your final cut as in picture 3, cutting along the folded edge, but leaving the folds uncut at points A and B as shown.
- Carefully stretch the paper open.
What's Going On?
You've simply changed the shape of the paper in a clever way. It's still paper, though, isn't it?
Think and talk about this!
Physical changes don't produce a new substance. Chemical changes do. How could you chemically change the paper?
© Hema and Eric Bulmer. All rights reserved.