12 Demonstration: Melting Styrofoam Cup
Supplies:
Styrofoam cup or container
Acetone (nail polish section of grocery store)
Small tub to catch mess
Question: What do you think will happen when I add this liquid (acetone) to the cup?
Directions: Over the tub, pour a small amount of acetone into the sup. The cup should start “melting.”
Theory: Acetone is hydrophobic (water fearing) and separates the bonds in styrofoam releasing air which gives the appearance of melting.
Grades: 1st – 4th
Time: 5 minutes
Clean up: Styrofoam “goo” can be placed in garbage.
Note and Hints: Students may be curious to touch the “goo.” Interestingly, it is very cold as an exothermic reaction but no harm if they want to explore.
Image Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIhvJozNplE
Media Attributions
- sty