This reading is designed to demonstrate scientific inquiry in action. Wallace Carothers was faced with a question and used careful experimentation and observation to gather evidence to solve the puzzle surrounding the nature of polymeric materials. It is important the students understand that even though Carothers liked Staudinger's macromolecular theory, he could not accept it without experimental evidence. This led him to the idea of step-growth polymerization reactions, which he hypothesized would produce macromolecules. He then tested his hypothesis by attempting to carry out the polymerization, and it produced the macromolecules he had predicted. This demonstrated that macromolecules could exist. Now that he had evidence, he could accept macromolecular theory.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes — The reading deals with a systematic effort by Wallace Carothers to answer questions concerning the nature of polymeric materials. The reading also explores a step-growth polymerization system and the interactions of its components to yield macromolecular products.

Science as Inquiry — The reading tells the story of an excellent example of a scientific inquiry.

Physical Science — Molecular structure and chemical reactions are central to the investigation carried out by Carothers in and described in this reading.

History and Nature of Science — This is a historical account which clearly demonstrates the nature of scientific knowledge as that known through observation and experience.

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