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O on and Yaël discuss how superglue works on this Moment of Science.  

D: Help! Help!!

Y: What's wrong, Don?!? Hey, at ease soldier. There's no need to salute.

D: I'm not saluting. I was fixing my coffee mug with superglue and I must have gotten      some on my fingers because I scratched my forehead and now my hand is stuck to      my head.

Y: Superglue? Cool! Remember that commercial with the construction worker who      superglued his hardhat to a metal beam and held himself up by it?

D: Yeah, whatever. Can you get me unstuck?

Y: What makes superglue so strong, anyway?

D: If I tell you, will you get my hand off my head?

Y: Sure.

D: Cyanoacrylate. There, now will you please--

Y: Whoa there, partner. Cyano-what?

D: Cyanoacrylate. It's a sticky substance called a resin. When its molecules come into      contact with water molecules on skin or any other surface they begin to form chains      that lash around and create a really strong, durable plastic weave. Chains of      molecules keep getting added into the mesh until the structure is so thick and hard      that the chains can't move anymore. Anything stuck to the mesh is usually stuck for      good. Now if you don't mind--

Y: So what is such strong glue used for?

D: Besides fixing coffee cups and larger things, a special type of superglue can be used      to close wounds instead of stitches.

Y: Neat. Now what was it that you wanted me to do?

D: Get me outta this!

Y: I know, just kidding. Now hold still.

D: What are you gonna do, paint my nails?

Y: No. This is nail polish remover, which just happens to be good at dissolving glue.      Even superglue...there.

D: Ah. Thank you. Now there's just one more thing I need.

Y: What?

D: A new coffee mug.  

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A Moment of Science® 

 
 
 
Last updated: 21 May 2004
URL: http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/superglue.html
Writer: Jeremy Shere
Comments: amos [at] indiana.edu
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