Hooked On Science: Teflon Tape Secret Message
Teflon Tape Secrete Message INGREDIENTS · Teflon Tape · Pen · Ruler INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Cut 4 inches of Teflon tape. Attempt to stretch the Teflon tape lengthwise without breaking the tape. Using the ruler, measure the length of the Teflon tape. Did the length change? STEP 2: Cut 4 inches of Teflon tape. Using the ruler, measure the width of the tape. Attempt to stretch the Teflon tape widthwise without breaking the tape. Using the ruler, measure the width of the Teflon tape. Did the width change? STEP 3: Cut 4 inches of Teflon tape. Using the pen, write a secrete message on the tape. Stretch the Teflon tape widthwise without breaking the tape. What happened to the secrete message? Give the Teflon tape to a friend, have them stretch the tape lengthwise, without breaking the tape. What happened? EXPLANATION The Teflon tape is made of a polymer, which is a bunch of molecules link together to form long chains. The Teflon tape polymer chains are aligned side-by-side and parallel to each other in a lengthwise direction. This makes it difficult to stretch the Teflon tape lengthwise without breaking the tape. Widthwise, however, the tape stretches easily. Because of this, when a message is written on the tape, then stretched widthwise, the message become unreadable. When the tape is then stretched lengthwise, the message become readable. Go to www.hookedonscience.org for more experiments that might get you and your family “Hooked on Science.â€
