Pre-demonstration Preparation:

1. Cover the center of one cup with water (approximately 1 mL). Add 0.7 g of sodium polyacrylate powder. Remove excess polyacrylate.

2. Place cups stacked upside down on the center of the bench with the cup containing the polyacrylate on the bottom.

The Demonstration:

1. Present the cups one at a time showing the audience that they are empty. Set them right side up in a row across the front of the table. The cup containing polyacrylate will be on your right.

2. Pour about 100 -125 mL of water from the pitcher into the leftmost cup (i.e. fill this cup approximately 1/4 full).

3. Shuffle cups ending with cup containing water on the left, cup containing polyacrylate on the right, and the empty cup in the middle.

4. Pour water from the left cup into the center cup.

5. Shuffle cups ending with the cup with the water in the middle, empty cup on the right, and the empty cup on the left.

6. Pour water from middle cup into the cup on the left.

7. Shuffle cups ending with the cup containing water on the right, empty cup in the middle and the cup containing polyacrylate on the left

8. Pour water from the right cup into the left cup that contains the polyacrylate.

9. Shuffle cups.

10. Clap hands with the audience while polyacrylate absorbs the water.

11. Shuffle cups again.

12. Starting with the cup that contains the polyacrylate and water, lift each, turn upside down, and stack in the center of the bench.

Safety Precautions:

The super absorbent material, sodium polyacrylate, can be dangerous if ingested and will irritate the nasal membranes if inhaled. Avoid eye contact; if it gets into the eyes, they will become irritated. Be sure to wash your hands after use.

Disposal:

Dispose of excess powder and/or gelled material in the trash, not down the drain!