Dissolving Stuff Polymer Experiment

Tags:: Chemistry Physics Experiments Demo Demonstrations Reaction Magic Explosions Dry Ice Chlorine Sci

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Styrofoam is a polymer and when brought into contact with
acetone the polymer breaks down into its monomers. This
demonstration show the process of depolymerization. It looks pretty cool.

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Comments on

Dissolving Stuff Polymer Experiment

8 Comments | Add Comment

How is this recycling?
had you used it again for something else, like, uhm - say a cup? - then you would have recycled it...

That way, not only did you not recycle the cup, you wasted acetone - which is not exactly good for the environment either...

That being said - it's a 'fun' experiment - especially for kids...
By FreakCERS 1178731109 Reply Spam [+4] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~3459570~~
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hmm
u got a really bad quality camera man
By dagurlls 1214639330 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~9248300~~
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wow
nothing but magic
By dexter76 1208589182 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~7369169~~
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Recycling
have u ever used it with polypropylene?
can acetone react with polypropylene?
If don't what type of chemistry can react with polypropylene?

By Mil3 1196351639 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~7207404~~
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- Hmmm...
  Looks like SOMEONE has got a bottle full of polypropylene at home and doesn't know what to do with it :P
  By uber_gabzz 1206324910 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~4259214~~
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nail polisher
nail polisher
By shawnking 1182036304 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~3652250~~
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Question
Are the monomers toxic?
By JohnDeere019 1178665321 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~5262669~~
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- I'm not sure
  Ive never done it with acetone, but it works the same with gasoline. When you disolve styrofoam in gasoline it becomes a sticky putty substance and it is used for napalms. You can handle it, its just annoying to get off of your fingers.
  By xvxKAMIKAZExvx 1178666589 Reply Spam [+0] Moderate Up Moderate Down Remove ~~3982516~~
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