Question

Step 5: Cut open a disposable diaper (in the absorbent area) and shake out some of the powder that's between the layers of paper into a glass or ceramic container.

Add some water and record your observations.

Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?

Answer 1

This diaper is composed of two essential elements, a hydrophilic, or water-loving, polymer and a fibrous material such as wood pulp. The polymer is made of fine particles of an acrylic acid derivative, such as sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate, or an alkyl acrylate. These polymeric particles act as tiny sponges that retain many times their weight in water. Microscopically these polymer molecules resemble long chains or ropes. Portions of these chemical "ropes" are designed to interact with water molecules. Other parts of the polymer have the ability to chemically link with different polymer molecules in a process known as cross linking. When a large number of these polymeric chains are cross linked, they form a gel network that is not water soluble but that can absorb vast amounts of water.
So basically there are chemical changes happening . So at a microscopic level, it is a chemical change.