Shrinkers
Contributed By
- Original Source:Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Conditions of Use:None Specified
Description
In this activity, learners (with adult help and supervision) investigate how heat affects polystyrene plastic. Polystyrene #6 plastic is most often found in two common substances - opaque colored plastic cups, or clear colorless take-out containers from restaurants. (Look for the number "6" surrounded by a triangle of arrows.) Learners can cut the plastic to desired shapes and sizes, also they can draw on the plastic with permanent marker. When placed in a hot oven, or on a hot pan on the stove, the plastic shrinks. Learners can analyze the different ways the plastic shrinks depending on the source of the plastic. During manufacture, the plastic in cups is stretched in one direction, and under heat shrinks in that same direction. The plastic in take-out containers is stretched in two directions during manufacture, and under heat shrinks in two directions. This is a take-home version of the experiment of the same name in the Industrial Chemistry unit in OMSI's Chemistry Lab. Also included on the PDF are two activities: Chalk it Up and Plastic Milk. Less
Learning Registry Activity
Bookmarks
Topics and Grades
Grade: TK/K to 9
Topics: Heat & Thermodynamics, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Chemistry, Engineering & Design
Resource Pedagogy
Resource Type/Classification:
- Teacher Materials
Tool for: Students