~Insta Worms; made out of sodium alginateàlong chain of molecules called a polymer (polysaccharide isolated for seaweed).
~Polymers (macromolecules) are made out of many monomers.
Things made out of polymers can be rubbery, sticky, gooey or tough depending on how their atoms and molecules are connected.
These types of properties come from different types of polymers:
Elastomers and Thermoplastic Elastomers which can be bended and stretched(found in SBS rubber and silicone).
Natural Polymers that can be found in almost anything (cellulose in plants and chitin that makes up the exoskeletons of bugs and crustaceans).
Plastics and Thermosets which are hard and tough (make up the synthetic silk nylon and the polycarbonates used in eyeglasses and CDs).
Synthetic Polymers were invented by people (tanning leather).
Since sodium alginate is derived from salt found in brown seaweed, Insta Worms are made up of natural polymers, though they still have a gooey quality when placed into water along with elastic qualities like rubber.
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