Varnish

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/varnish

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary mechanism?Evaporation of solvents and/or polymerization/cross-linking of resins
2. What is the key properties?Provides protection against moisture, abrasion, and UV light; enhances aesthetic appeal
3. What is varnish and why do we use it on wood?Varnish is a clear liquid that dries into a hard film. It protects wood from water, scratches, and sunlight while showing the wood grain.
4. How does varnish keep wood from getting wet or rotting?The film blocks water from entering the wood, so the wood doesn’t swell, shrink, or decay.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Chemicals that evaporate easily into the air, often contributing to air pollution.
Oxidative Polymerization: A chemical process where substances react with oxygen to form a solid network.
Substrate: The surface or material on which a coating is applied.