The acetone is a solvent that easily breaks down the polystyrene, releasing the little air pockets trapped inside and leaving very little residue at the end. Even good solvents can take a while to dissolve a polymer. Do the experiment in a fume hood or well-ventilated room, and wear safety glasses and gloves. While Styrofoam does not decompose quickly or easily, acetone makes it seem to disappear in seconds. These are the forces that determine the temperature at which a substance melts or boils. Observe the reaction between the acetone and the Styrofoam. When combined the Styrofoam seems to disappear inside the acetone. Once the styrofoam is fully dissolved it is stretchy and fun to play with. This can be used to point out that the packing peanuts are made mostly air with only a little polymer which is seen in the bottom of the flask. Acetone is a chemical that dissolves Styrofoam. Pour the acetone into the container, then slowly add pieces of Styrofoam. read more. To carry out an experiment with Styrofoam and acetone, all you need is a large bowl or measuring glass. The reaction between Styrofoam and acetone shows how soluble this plastic is in an organic solvent and how much air is in Styrofoam. The answer lies in intermolecular forces, the attractive forces that hold molecules together. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. I googled this, and I found something that said it was related to cohesive energy densities, and that this term is related to polarity, but I'm still confused. You can see a less-dramatic version of the same effect by dissolving other polystyrene items in acetone. Have you ever seen a foam cup appear to melt away in acetone? Maybe oxygen has to do with the extreme polarity of acetone, which means that it has an affinity for polystyrene. The acetone breaks up the long chain of molecules, and the air goes away, hence the volume shrinks radically. Measure the time it takes for the Styrofoam to dissolve 5. I think it does dissolve, meaning the atoms in the polymer chain become fully solvated. You need: -Acetone -Styrofoam -A metal or glass container Safety advisory: Acetone fumes are flammable. Always wear safety glasses, and wash your hands wel… Acetone is a flammable, colorless liquid that is most commonly used for removing nail polish. If you do not have acetone, you can use gasoline or just about any other organic solvent to easily dissolve Styrofoam. read more Styrofoam vs Acetone! : Hi guys! Styrofoam is made of polystyrene foam. The chemical system we're considering is the polystyrene in your styrofoam. In other words, the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone. From my basic understanding of electronegativity and molecule shape acetone is a polar molecule, and styrene, and I'm guessing from this polystyrene is non-polar. In this week’s video, we team up with chemistry professor Matt Hartings, Ph.D., to explain this weird phenomenon. Styrofoam often makes up drink holders and insulating materials, as it is a poor conductor of heat. Add some styrofoam to acetone in a closed container. Gather materials 2. The video, uploaded by YouTube channel Let's Melt This, shows acetone — commonly used as nail polish remover — dissolving a Styrofoam cup on a plate. The Styrofoam does not completely disappear, even though it looks like it has. MATERIALS 14 pieces of Styrofoam, each weighing 0.3 grams Acetone A larger container Timer Calculator. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure. Yes, acetone dissolves Styrofoam. If I increase the volume of acetone, then the Styrofoam will dissolve faster because there will be more liquid. 0 0. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure. Remember that polystyrene is made up of many smaller molecules called monostyrene. This is because the intermolecular interactions between the acetone and the polystyrene makes it more thermodynamically stable for the two to exist as a solution rather than two separate distinct entities. Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Polymers, Polymer Properties Database: Polystyrenes. The Styrofoam will dissolve in the acetone much like sugar dissolves in hot water. I have been doing research on this topic for a quite a while now .95% of people are concentrating in the fact that Styrofoam dissolve in Acetone. Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. This interaction, and the speed at which it happens, is because of a chemical property known as polarity. Simply so, why does acetone dissolve Styrofoam? Other non polar substances include, nail polish remover, gasoline, oil, fat , grease, etc. When the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone, the air in the foam is released. An experiment with acetone, Styrofoam and a glass bowl or measuring cup shows how much air is in Styrofoam and has pretty magical results. The Styrofoam does not completely disappear, even though it looks like it has. Styrofoam is actually a common name for a material called polystyrene, which is a polymer made up of a long chain of molecules. A cup of acetone is enough to dissolve an entire bean bag's worth of styrofoam beads. Common polystyrene products include disposable razors, plastic yogurt … Foam cups, bowls and containers are made of a lightweight but strong material – expanded polystyrene. It is popular in plastics manufacturing, industrial cleaning products and some household liquids, such as nail polish remover. Since Styrofoam is … It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. Cookies help us deliver our Services. All oil (fish oil, olive oil, canola oil, etc.) And, because styrofoam is mostly pockets of air, when the bonds are broken the air can escape. So, the correct question is: Why does acetone dissolve styrofoam? Putting Styrofoam in acetone will dissolve how to do it is easy. Also to know is, what happens when you mix acetone and Styrofoam? While Styrofoam does not decompose quickly or easily, acetone makes it seem to disappear in seconds. Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. After the demo is done the polystyrene will be in the bottom of the beaker. The air contained in the plastic foam leaves it, … Put a piece of Styrofoam in it 4. METHOD 1. The air in the foam evaporates, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, it completely loses its structure. After a while. Does Fish Oil Dissolve Styrofoam? Basically, it looks like a huge amount of material is dissolving in a small amount of liquid. Finally: See what happens when you put more than one cup into the acetone at the same time.. Here’s What’s Happening! This disappearance is in fact a dissolving, and the Styrofoam molecules become interspersed in the acetone. Watch the Styrofoam cup slowly shrinks as it touches the acetone. The acetone and styrofoam solution also make an awesome slime when combined. Others do it much slower. The acetone (formula (CH3)2CO) breaks the bonds that hold the polystyrene together. Like dissolves like. This dissolving and … –Solvent—does the dissolving (acetone) ... styrofoam cup with acetate?) You can use a large piece of Styrofoam, Styrofoam beads or even a Styrofoam cup. 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