JellyBeadZ Brand Marble Size Rainbow Water Beads Growing Polymer Gel Balls-1 Pound

Experience the awe-creating power of these beads as they grow up to 200 times their original size. Simply add the beads to water and watch in amazement as they expand! The beads take a day or so to fully grow, and they are fun to bounce, roll, and throw! They even slip, slide and explode. The beads can be dried out and will return to their original shape so that you can use them again and again! These beads are safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Kids love to feel the slippery, spherical gel with their hands. Use as an educational tool by asking students to determine the change in volume, using the spherical volume formula. Also, great for starting seeds and growing plants so that the roots can be seen. The beads absorb faster when placed in warmer water because the individual molecules move much more quickly into the tiniest spaces in the beads. They will even hydrate when placed in carbonated beverages also trapping the gases released. Salt water will inhibit absorbtion by the beads because the bond between salt and water interferes with the bonds of the water and the beads. Acidic water will cause the beads to shrink by degrading the bonds between the water and the beads. The beads are cross-linked copolymers that rapidly absorb water by using the process of osmosis. When water comes in contact with the polymer, it moves from outside the polymer to the inside and causes it to grow and expand. A polymer is a group of molecules that are linked together. Polymer chains are elastic and will continue to grow to a certain point. The polymer in the beads is special in the sense that it is polar so that it mixes with water. Whether you call them decorative water crystals, water pearls, polymer crystals, decor beads, polymer gel balls, magic dirt, water beads or jelly balls, these decorative water beads are simply magic and fabulous and can instantly enhance the decorating effects in any table centerpiece, vase of flowers, candle crafting, etc.