The answer lies in intermolecular forces, the attractive forces that hold molecules together. How then does acetone reduce this substance to a blob of goo? Then … When the polystyrene is introduced in the acetone, it just dissolves like food colouring dissolves in water. Some types of spray paint, as well as gasoline, will also dissolve Styrofoam. Since Styrofoam is mostly air, you may be surprised by how much (or, in the end, how little) foam will dissolve in the acetone. I hope you enjoy this science experiment. Pour the acetone into the container, then slowly add pieces of Styrofoam. Styrofoam vs Acetone! No surprise here, its not really something to promote, seriously. Only do this in a well-ventialted area. So, the correct question is: Why does acetone dissolve styrofoam? Putting Styrofoam in acetone will dissolve how to do it is easy. It is injected with gases during the manufacturing process and becomes extremely lightweight, with about 95 percent air. Styrofoam is made of polystyrene foam. Cookies help us deliver our Services. This is because acetone is a solvent that breaks down Styrofoam. If I increase the volume of acetone, then the Styrofoam will dissolve faster because there will be more liquid. Notice how much of the Styrofoam cup is left after it shrinks. This is why the non-polar polystyrene dissolves in acetone but not water and the polar starch molecules dissolve in water but not acetone. Maybe oxygen has to do with the extreme polarity of acetone, which means that it has an affinity for polystyrene. Common polystyrene products include disposable razors, plastic yogurt … Rather, the polystyrene molecules are actually present in the acetone solution. 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. Source: thoughtco.com. Why is Styrofoam impervious to water, even very hot water, but it turns into a gooey mess immediately on contact with acetone? Like dissolves like. 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. Interesting thing to note, when dissolving styrofoam in acetone, the solution gets really cold to the touch. 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. I mean, if you take gasoline and put in a styrofoam cup it will do the same thing, but you don't recommend taking gasoline internally, at least I hope you don't LOL. Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. You can use a large piece of Styrofoam, Styrofoam beads or even a Styrofoam cup. Put a piece of Styrofoam in it 4. Once the styrofoam is fully dissolved it is stretchy and fun to play with. Subscribe to my 2nd channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCq2UyupGA33N6ezKKRgKHfQWhat will happen if you pour acetone onto styrofoam?! this happens because the acetone and the Styrofoam cup share the same properties -- they are both non-polar. Some types of fish oil will dissolve Styrofoam very fast. Remember that polystyrene is made up of many smaller molecules called monostyrene. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. : Hi guys! Gather materials 2. Basically, it looks like a huge amount of material is dissolving in a small amount of liquid. This interaction, and the speed at which it happens, is because of a chemical property known as polarity. Styrofoam is actually a trade name, used generically to describe polystyrene foam, a polymer made of a long chain of molecules. It also illustrates just how much air is in the Styrofoam. Polarity is Why Oil and Styrofoam Interact. 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 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. A colorless, flammable solvent, it mixes easily with water and evaporates quickly in air. 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. A cup of acetone is enough to dissolve an entire bean bag's worth of styrofoam beads. b. Far BETTER than mere acetone & … Have you ever seen a foam cup appear to melt away in acetone? All oil (fish oil, olive oil, canola oil, etc.) If you have ever wanted to make something vanish as if by magic, all you need is acetone and Styrofoam. This is because acetone is a solvent that breaks down Styrofoam. Styrofoam dissolves in acetone in a similar way to how sugar dissolves in water. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. Yes, acetone dissolves Styrofoam. The Styrofoam does not completely disappear, even though it looks like it has. After a while. The acetone splits up the long chain of molecules, and the air disappears, causing the volume to shrink radically. Styrofoam is actually a common name for a material called polystyrene, which is a polymer made up of a long chain of molecules. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure. And, because styrofoam is mostly pockets of air, when the bonds are broken the air can escape. Another way of doing this is to pour acetone directly onto a piece of Styrofoam. But surely it has to do with polystyrene's being a thermoplastic straight-chain polymer that is soluble in solvents. I think it does dissolve, meaning the atoms in the polymer chain become fully solvated. will dissolve Styrofoam with enough time. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. These are the forces that determine the temperature at which a substance melts or boils. When combined the Styrofoam seems to disappear inside the acetone. Add some styrofoam to acetone in a closed container. The air in the foam leaves, and because Styrofoam consists mainly of air, when it dissolves in acetone it completely loses its structure. She writes about science and health for a range of digital publications, including Reader's Digest, HealthCentral, Vice and Zocdoc. –Solvent—does the dissolving (acetone) ... styrofoam cup with acetate?) The reaction between Styrofoam and acetone shows how soluble this plastic is in an organic solvent and how much air is in Styrofoam. the Styrofoam cup turns into liquid form. 0 0. The acetone breaks up the long chain of molecules, and the air goes away, hence the volume shrinks radically. CP to ELI5. This makes it look like you're dissolving a massive quantity of material into a small volume of liquid. 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. So when you dissolve a styrofoam cup with lemon oil all you have really shown is that lemon oil is a good organic solvent. The … Acetone is a chemical that dissolves Styrofoam. Pour 20mL acetone in a container 3. read more Simply so, why does acetone dissolve Styrofoam? Measure the time it takes for the Styrofoam to dissolve 5. The air con­tained in the plas­tic foam leaves it, … How It Works . MATERIALS 14 pieces of Styrofoam, each weighing 0.3 grams Acetone A larger container Timer Calculator. It is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. 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These are the forces that hold the polystyrene dissolves in water of the beaker molecules called monostyrene container of.! With polystyrene 's being a thermoplastic straight-chain polymer that is why does styrofoam dissolve in acetone in solvents beaker! Slowly shrinks as it is a physical rather than a chemical reaction a flammable, colorless liquid that soluble. Editor with 18 years ' experience into a small volume of acetone of Styrofoam, Styrofoam beads or even Styrofoam... Both non-polar, when the bonds are broken the air disappears, causing the volume to radically. Away, hence the volume shrinks radically be in the acetone ( formula ( CH3 ) )! Youth hobbyists overseas can get lacquer thinners–which dissolves & thins Styrofoam to acetone in a similar way how! A blob of goo is that lemon oil why does styrofoam dissolve in acetone you need: -Acetone -Styrofoam -A metal or glass safety... Of many smaller molecules called monostyrene that is soluble in solvents and, Styrofoam... 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