Four Million Molecules That Stretch to the Moon – Gravi-Goo and Newton's Beads

In one cup of Gravi-Goo there is about four million linked molecules. The long strands of molecules are called polymers. Pour the liquid from cup to cup and the long strand of molecules will pull each other along, or siphon from one cup to another. They are so determined to stay together, that they will pull each other uphill.

After experimenting with the Gravi-Goo, Steve and his sons threw the mixture away. (You don’t want to pour it down the drain.) A little bit of goo hung over the side of the trash can. The next morning, a large pool of Grav-Goo sat on the floor. As the small blob of molecules began to fall from the trash can to the ground, they pulled their friends along and siphoned out of the trash can.

For a more visual demonstration of what happens with self-siphoning polymers, use Newton’s Beads. The beads come in a 50 or 250 foot-long strands. Hold the container upright, and pull one end of the chain over the edge. The beads will pour onto the floor in a matter of seconds using inertia and their connection to all of the other links in the chain. You have to see it to believe it.