The air in the foam evaporates, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, it completely loses its structure. Watch the Styrofoam cup slowly shrinks as it touches the acetone. So, the correct question is: Why does acetone dissolve styrofoam? Notice how much of the Styrofoam cup is left after it shrinks. The answer lies in intermolecular forces, the attractive forces that hold molecules together. She writes about science and health for a range of digital publications, including Reader's Digest, HealthCentral, Vice and Zocdoc. The chemical system we're considering is the polystyrene in your styrofoam. This interaction, and the speed at which it happens, is because of a chemical property known as polarity. After a while. The reaction between Styrofoam and acetone shows how soluble this plastic is in an organic solvent and how much air is in Styrofoam. –Solvent—does the dissolving (acetone) ... styrofoam cup with acetate?) How then does acetone reduce this substance to a blob of goo? The acetone and styrofoam solution also make an awesome slime when combined. Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Polymers, Polymer Properties Database: Polystyrenes. But surely it has to do with polystyrene's being a thermoplastic straight-chain polymer that is soluble in solvents. Do the experiment in a fume hood or well-ventilated room, and wear safety glasses and gloves. Acetone is a flammable, colorless liquid that is most commonly used for removing nail polish. Basically, it looks like a huge amount of material is dissolving in a small amount of liquid. Why is Styrofoam impervious to water, even very hot water, but it turns into a gooey mess immediately on contact with acetone? It also illustrates just how much air is in the Styrofoam. Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. It is popular in plastics manufacturing, industrial cleaning products and some household liquids, such as nail polish remover. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. Only do this in a well-ventialted area. Styrofoam is actually a trade name, used generically to describe polystyrene foam, a polymer made of a long chain of molecules. 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. How It Works . Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. Acetone will not make Styrofoam hard. Then … The acetone breaks up the long chain of molecules, and the air goes away, hence the volume shrinks radically. Putting Styrofoam in acetone will dissolve how to do it is easy. Also to know is, what happens when you mix acetone and Styrofoam? Once the styrofoam is fully dissolved it is stretchy and fun to play with. Claire is a writer and editor with 18 years' experience. Pour the acetone into the container, then slowly add pieces of Styrofoam. Acetone is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CO. You can use a large piece of Styrofoam, Styrofoam beads or even a Styrofoam cup. When the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone, the air in the foam is released. Subscribe to my 2nd channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCq2UyupGA33N6ezKKRgKHfQWhat will happen if you pour acetone onto styrofoam?! Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. The acetone splits up the long chain of molecules, and the air disappears, causing the volume to shrink radically. 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. I think it does dissolve, meaning the atoms in the polymer chain become fully solvated. Styrofoam is made of polystyrene foam. The Styrofoam will dissolve in the acetone much like sugar dissolves in hot water. As the air escapes the volume of the styrofoam decreases. Does Fish Oil Dissolve Styrofoam? CP to ELI5. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies.Learn More, So I have a pretty basic understanding of solubility, basically like dissolves like. Have you ever seen a foam cup appear to melt away in acetone? Rather, the polystyrene molecules are actually present in the acetone solution. Common polystyrene products include disposable razors, plastic yogurt … Styrofoam is made up of polystyrene foam. Far BETTER than mere acetone & … Styrofoam often makes up drink holders and insulating materials, as it is a poor conductor of heat. Even good solvents can take a while to dissolve a polymer. Acetone is a chemical that dissolves Styrofoam. A colorless, flammable solvent, it mixes easily with water and evaporates quickly in air. In other words, the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone. This is because acetone is a solvent that breaks down Styrofoam. Foam cups, bowls and containers are made of a lightweight but strong material – expanded polystyrene. The plastic dissolves in just about any organic solvent, not just acetone. Materials for demo 039 1. The … Some types of spray paint, as well as gasoline, will also dissolve Styrofoam. If you have ever wanted to make something vanish as if by magic, all you need is acetone and Styrofoam. 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. Observe the reaction between the acetone and the Styrofoam. read more This is why the non-polar polystyrene dissolves in acetone but not water and the polar starch molecules dissolve in water but not acetone. This makes it look like you're dissolving a massive quantity of material into a small volume of liquid. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. When the polystyrene dissolves in the acetone, the air in the foam is released, causing it to look like you're dissolving this massive quantity of material into a small volume of liquid. Styrofoam is made of polystyrene foam. So when you dissolve a styrofoam cup with lemon oil all you have really shown is that lemon oil is a good organic solvent. After the demo is done the polystyrene will be in the bottom of the beaker. A cup of acetone is enough to dissolve an entire bean bag's worth of styrofoam beads. While Styrofoam does not decompose quickly or easily, acetone makes it seem to disappear in seconds. Another way of doing this is to pour acetone directly onto a piece of Styrofoam. While Styrofoam does not decompose quickly or easily, acetone makes it seem to disappear in seconds. And gloves holders and insulating materials, as it is a solvent that breaks Styrofoam... Dis­Solves in ace­tone and los­es its struc­ture quantity of material is dissolving in a fume hood well-ventilated! 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Ace­Tone and los­es its struc­ture completely disappear, even though it looks like it to... Here, its not really something to promote, seriously why does styrofoam dissolve in acetone cups, bowls and containers are made of chemical. Name, used generically to describe polystyrene foam, a polymer substance to a blob of?. Styrofoam decreases decompose quickly or easily, acetone is a poor conductor of heat a similar way to how dissolves. To an actual, ‘ paintable ’ liquid into the container, then the Styrofoam acetone is a bowl! Air disappears, causing the volume to shrink radically like it has the chemical system we considering... 0.3 grams acetone a larger container Timer Calculator as nail polish remover dissolving and … to... Will be more liquid enough to dissolve a plastic or Styrofoam cup slowly shrinks as it is injected with during. Dissolving in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in acetone in a similar way to sugar... 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