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Floating Plastics: An Initial Chemistry Laboratory Experience

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Enrique A. Hughes , Helena M. Ceretti and Anita Zalts

Instituto de Ciencias, Área Química, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Roca 850, 1663 San Miguel, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina

J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (4), p 522

DOI: 10.1021/ed078p522

Publication Date (Web): April 1, 2001

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Chemists routinely prepare a great variety of solutions. Sometimes it is necessary to confirm that the intended product was obtained. This may be done by measuring physical properties such as absorbance, electrical conductivity, melting point, boiling point, osmotic pressure, and density. This experiment is an initial experience for introductory chemistry courses, illustrating density by application in flotation-based techniques for identification and separation of plastics. Students prepare a series of solutions with gradually increasing densities. Then they are given plastic samples of known and unknown composition and they estimate the densities of the samples by observing in which solutions they float and in which they sink. These densities are used to identify the plastics. This experiment can be linked to discussions of recycling issues and industrial applications such as identification, classification, and separation of materials.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Nonmajor Courses

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

A Novel, Simplified Scheme for Plastics Identification
Mary E. Harris, Barbara Walker
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (2), 147-149
- A Novel, Simplified Scheme for Plastics Identification
  Mary E. Harris, Barbara Walker
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (2), 147-149
  In this Activity, students identify samples of seven types of recyclable plastic by using a flowchart scheme. The flowchart procedure includes making density comparisons of the plastic samples in water and alcohol and observing physical changes of plastic ...
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