Below are instructions for building a transparent box that can have many uses in your science classroom. It is made of Plexiglas® that is 1/4 inch thick and will be a cube with inner dimensions of 11 inches on each edge. This is a convenient size for lecture demonstrations, particularly the carbon dioxide in a box demonstration. Why eleven inches? If you calculate the volume of the box in liters, you get very close to 22.4 liters - the molar volume of a gas at standard temperature and pressure. Therefore your box will hold a little less than 6.02 X 1023 gas molecules at room temperature.
Materials
There are online companies that sell Plexiglas® panels cut to any dimensions, or your local supply store can cut them for you. You will also need the proper solvent for "welding" the panels together. Most solvents sold for this purpose are chlorinated alkanes and are volatile and toxic. They should only be used in well-ventilated areas. The safest place to use them is in a fume-hood. Avoid all exposure to the solvent. It can be applied with a disposable plastic or glass pipette. Masking tape is the only other thing you'll need.
You will need five square panels of 1/4 inch Plexiglas®
One panel 11.5 inches by 11.5 inches for the bottom.
Two panels 11 inches by 11 inches for the sides.
Two panels 11 inches by 11.5 inches for the front and back.
Plexiglas® usually comes with a protective layer of paper on each side. Peel the paper off one side of each panel.
Use masking tape to assemble the box. Take care to ensure all the edges and sides match up well. The paper-covered sides should be on the outside.
Tilt the box toward you and carefully apply a small amount of solvent to the three edges that surround the panel tilted toward the table. Capillary action should pull the solvent between the panels where they touch. Hold the box in this position for a few minutes until the solvent begins to glue the edges together. Rotate the box and repeat this process until all edges have been treated. Caution: Do this in a well-ventilated area. Avoid all exposure to the solvent.
