Indiana PSI Nail Technician Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of a chemical change that occurs in nail products to create enhancements?

1. Catalyst

2. Emulsify

3. Evaporation

4. Polymerization

The correct answer is: Polymerization

Polymerization is the correct choice because it is a fundamental chemical process used in nail enhancements. This process involves the chemical bonding of small molecules called monomers to form a larger, more complex structure known as a polymer. In the context of nail products such as acrylics and gel nails, polymerization occurs when the monomer is mixed with a catalyst or initiator, which triggers the change and allows the product to harden into a durable enhancement. This transformation is essential because it creates the solid, structured forms seen in acrylic and gel nails, providing the necessary strength and longevity that clients expect from nail enhancements. For example, when applying acrylic nails, the combination of liquid monomer and powdered polymer initiates this reaction, leading to a firm nail enhancement. The other options represent different processes that do not specifically involve the creation of new chemical compounds in the same way that polymerization does. For instance, catalyzing is a method to speed up a chemical reaction without changing the catalyst itself; emulsification refers to mixing two immiscible liquids, often seen in creams and lotions; and evaporation is a physical change where a liquid becomes a gas. While these processes may be relevant in the broader context of nail product chemistry, they do not exemplify the