Gel facts for kids
A gel is a special kind of squishy, jelly-like substance. Think of things like hair gel or the jelly you eat – they wobble, but they also hold their shape. Even though gels feel solid, they are actually made mostly of liquid!
Understanding Gels
Gels are unique because they act like both a liquid and a solid at the same time. Most of a gel's weight comes from the liquid inside it. However, tiny solid parts form a special network, like a 3D maze, throughout the liquid. This network is what gives the gel its structure and helps it keep its shape.
How Gels Are Made
Gels are a type of mixture called a colloid. This means that tiny bits of liquid are spread out inside a solid. In a gel, the solid part forms a continuous structure, holding the liquid inside. Imagine a sponge: the sponge material is the solid network, and it holds water (the liquid) within its holes. Gels work in a similar way, but on a much smaller, molecular level.
Where Do We Find Gels?
Gels are all around us and used in many ways! Here are some common examples:
- Jellies: Like the ones you eat, made from gelatin.
- Agar: A jelly-like substance from seaweed, used in cooking and science.
- Contact Lenses: These soft lenses are made of hydrogels, which are gels that can absorb a lot of water.
- Hair Gel: Helps style your hair by holding it in place.
- Mucus: The natural slime in our bodies is also a type of gel!
- Diapers: Some diapers use superabsorbent gels to soak up liquids.
These examples show how useful and common gels are in our daily lives, from food to personal care products and even in our own bodies.
Images for kids
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Silica gel
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Hydrogel of a superabsorbent polymer
See also
In Spanish: Gel para niños
