Recyclable Plastics: Identification By Relative Density and Flammability

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS/PROCESSES

• In Use density to identify recyclable plastics
• Explore physical properties and flammability of plastics
• Use data to identify unknown plastics
• Build a continuous unit that makes up the large polymer

Students use specially designed trays to identify recyclable plastics by determining their relative density. They also test the flammability of the plastics and their physical characteristics. Students attempt to identify unknown plastics using the information they have collected. Then, using patented LAB-AIDS® molecular model components, students construct each repeat unit (the continuous molecule that makes up the larger polymer or plastic) in the polymer structure.

This dramatic, motivating Lab-Aid contains enough material for 16 lab groups composed of 2-student teams.

Contents List

• 1 Teachers Guide with MSDS
• 8 Candles in holders
• 80 Containers and lids
• 8 Copper wires
• 8 Density trays
• 8 Forceps
• 10 Stock Density solutions ranging from 0.81 - 1.26
• 16 Unknown plastics strips, pkgs: orange, colorless and black

8 Resin pkgs:

• PETE (PET), HDPE, PVC(V), PP, LDPE and PS

16 Plastics strip pkgs:

• PETE (PET), HDPE, PVC(V), PP, LDPE and PS

• 4 Oxygen (blue atom)
• 28 Carbon (black tetrahedral)
• 1 Chlorine (green atom)
• 62 Covalent bonds (white tubes)
• 24 Hydrogen (white atom)