Melting Styrofoam Experiment

Materials

• Acetone (nail polish remover)

• Styrofoam cups

• Metal bowl or pot

Now Follow These Steps:

WARNING: Please follow the manufacturer's warnings on the container of acetone. The solvent is very flammable and can be harmful if inhaled, so use safety when conducting this experiment!

First:  Pour ½ cup of acetone into the bowl.

Second: Slowly lower a Styrofoam cup into the acetone. Observe the reaction between the acetone and the Styrofoam.

Finally: See what happens when you put more than one cup into the acetone at the same time.. 

Here’s What’s Happening!

When combined the Styrofoam seems to disappear inside the acetone. This disappearance is in fact a dissolving, and the Styrofoam molecules become interspersed in the acetone. This dissolving and the resultant solution shows potential for recycling technology.

*Thanks to 

http://classroom.synonym.com/acetone-styrofoam-experiment-2768.html

http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/styrofoam-nail-polish-remo...

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