Biodegradable Plastic Lab Background: Plastic is a prevalent product in most mod
ID: 166452 • Letter: B
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Biodegradable Plastic Lab Background: Plastic is a prevalent product in most modern households due to its low cost and moldable properties. Plastics are made from petroleum and consist of hydrocarbon chains that cannot be biodegraded in a landfill. In order to be broken down, plastics must be exposed for hundreds of years to moisture, UVIight, and enzymes. Only about one third of all plastic products are recycled, making plastics a major contributor to the overall weight of solid waste in a landfill. Bioplastics are an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. These new plastics are made from renewable, plant-based sources such as pectin, cellulose, and starches. Question Will petroleum-based plastic or bioplastic biodegrade at a faster rate? Materials coffee cup plastic cooking 2 small plant pots aluminum foil potting soil Spoon safety goggles c. half and half 5 plastic buttons permanent marker cream 5 small bioplastic 1 t of white vinegar buttons potholder water thick paper towels small nonstick or cheesecloth saucepan Procedure: 1. Make a hypothesis. (Should answer the question to the lab) 2. In this lab you will be heating substances as well as using a mild acid. Use caution with the stove and it is suggested that you use safety goggles. 3. Make bioplastic buttons: half and half over a. Pour 1/2 of half and half cream into the small saucepan. Heat med. high heat until the cream begins to foam. Remove pan from the heat. b. Add 1tof white vinegar to cream and stir The half and half will begin to clump. c. create a filter by putting two paper towels or cheesecloth over the opening of a coffee cup. Tuck the paper towels or cheesecloth into the coffee cup. d. Pour the cream mixture into the coffee cup. Be sure collect all of the clumps from the pan. e. Allow the cream mixture (or curds to cool for 5 minutes. After this time lift the paper towels or cheesecloth our of the cup and squeeze out any excess liquid. f, open up the paper towels or cheesecloth and you will see a white, cheese-like plastic. g, Shape several buttons approximately the same size as your petroleum based buttons and place on the aluminum foilExplanation / Answer
a)
b) bioplastic is usefull one when compared to other plastic
c) Bioplastic present a range of enviornmental advantage such as improved biodegradability that conventional petroluem-based plastic
d) drawbacks of bioplastics
1. compostibility 2. recycling of plastic could become impossible 3. food crisis required for renewable resources
e) example of bioplastics: wheat gluten and casein
Bioplastic petroluem based plastic 1. It is biodegrable 1. It is non-degrable 2. it is natural source 2. it is from non-natural sourcesRelated Questions
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