Demonstrating concepts in polymer physics using a simple teaching and learning aid from paper fasteners

Abstract

This paper presents a possible teaching and learning aid constructed from inexpensive materials, such as paper fasteners for use in teaching basic structure-property relationships for polymers as well as polymer physics concepts. A number of concepts and morphologies of polymer systems that can be presented and possible experiments that can be conducted using the aid are enumerated and the teaching aid is envisioned to find a niche in introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in physics, chemistry and materials science covering polymers as well as for introducing basic polymer concepts in elementary and secondary science classes.