Learn about hydrogels as you make this fun Squishy Soap with just a few simple supplies!
How It Works:
Gelatin comes from collagen, which is a protein made up of long strands of chemicals called amino acids. (Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.) When dissolved in water, these gelatin strands like to interact with each other and stick together to form a three-dimensional matrix. This process is called crosslinking and the resulting gel is called a hydrogel (a crosslinked gel containing water). At room temperature, these interactions are stronger so the gelatin is more solid. However, when you heat the gel (like in the shower), the interactions are weaker, causing the gel to dissolve into a liquid.