Recyclable Plastics: Identification Using Relative Density and Flammability
Besides having students identify polymers, this lab activity can be used as an enrichment unit on density. 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-Aids® contains enough material for 16 lab groups composed of 2-student teams.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 2 Activities
- Accommodates 1 class, with 16 groups of 2 students
- Consumables service 32 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Includes digital resources
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
- 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
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 8 Candles
- 80 Density Tray Cup
- 80 Lid for Density Tray Cup
- 8 Density trays
- 8 Molecular Model Set
- 8 Pan, aluminum
- 8 Copper Wire, 4"
- 8 Tweezer, metal
- 1 Density Solution No. 1, 0.81, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 2, 0.87, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 3, 0.88, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 4, 0.90, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 5, 0.92, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 6, 0.94, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 7, 0.96, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 8, 1.00, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 9, 1.10, bottle
- 1 Density Solution No. 10, 1.26, bottle
- 1 PETE resin beads, bags
- 1 HDPE resin beads, bags
- 1 PVC resin beads, bags
- 1 PP resin beads, bags
- 1 LDPE resin beads, bags
- 1 PS resin beads, bags
- 1 "Known" plastic strips set (16 each of PS, PP, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PETE)
- 1 "Unknown" Plastic strips set (16 each of PP, HDPE, PVC)
- 1 SDS (Safety Data Sheet) packet
- Downloadable pdfs of student and teacher literature