Super Science " Yumdrops" - A Homemade Candy Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup grape Juice
Unflavored Gelatin
Granulated Sugar
Directions: To make Yumdrops, heat ¼ cup of grape juice until it starts to boil. Shut off the heat and sprinkle one envelope of unflavored gelatin over the hot liquid. Stir until the gelatin completely dissolves. Spoon nickel-sized drops of gelatin onto a sheet of waxed paper. After a minute, sprinkle granulated sugar on the drops. Yum drops will be completely cool in about ten minutes.
Compare "Yumdrops" to store-bought gum drops. How are they similar and how are they different? Here's a hint. Store bought gum drops and gummy style candy use a secret ingredient from the sea. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed sea weed, you're right!
What's a polymer? A polymer is a large molecule formed the chemical linking of many smaller molecules into a long chain. Small molecular building units are called monomers. Monomers are joined into chains by process of repeated linking called polymerization. Useful polymers include: starch and wool (natural polymers), nylon, polyethylene ( a tough plastic material), and rubber.