Classic chemistry experiments 27

12. Identifying polymers

Topic
Polymers.

Timing
45 min.

Description
The students place samples of plastic into solutions of known density to identify the
polymers.

Apparatus and equipment (per group)

▼ Six test-tubes
▼ Test-tube rack
▼ Glass rod
▼ Samples of seven different plastics.

Chemicals (per group)

▼ Solutions 1–6 (see below for preparation)
Samples of:

–3
Polymer Density range/g cm
EPS – expanded polystyrene 0.02–0.06
PP – polypropylene 0.89–0.91
LDPE – low density polyethylene 0.91–0.93
HDPE – high density polyethylene 0.94–0.96
PS – polystyrene 1.04–1.11
PVC – polyvinyl chloride 1.20–1.55
PET – polyethylene terephthalate 1.38–1.40

NB The names commonly used in industry are given here.

Sources of polymers
The following product types can be made from the named polymers:
HDPE – plastic bottles for milk, fruit juices, household cleaners and chemicals. Motor
oil containers, some carrier bags and most aerosol caps.
LDPE – Jif lemon juice container. Some squeezy containers for sauces, cosmetics and
plastic films – ie shrink wrap, sacks, freezer bags, carrier bags that are not crinkly,
disposable pipettes, some aerosol caps, some plant pots and ink-tubes in ball-point
pens.
PVC – plastic bottles for mineral water, fruit squash, cooking oil and shampoo.
Sandwich and cake packs, food packaging trays, DIY blister packs, baby care product
containers, cling film, ring-binder covers, records and watch straps.
28 Classic chemistry experiments

PS – yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, clear egg boxes, food packaging trays, plastic
cutlery and cups, clear plastic glasses, ball-point pen cases, cassette boxes and plastic
coathangers
EPS – fast food packaging, meat packaging trays and egg boxes.
PP – plastic straws, containers for soft cheeses and fats, some margarine tubs,
microwaveable food tubs and trays, film bags for crisps, biscuits and snacks, ketchup
bottles and bottle caps.
PET – most plastic bottles for fizzy drinks, ovenproof food trays and roasting bags,
audio and videotape.
For different coloured suggestions:

Container Colour Polymer

Low fat soft cheese tub Blue Polypropylene
Lemonade bottle Colourless and clear Polyethylene terephthalate
Fabric conditioner bottle Pink High density polyethylene
Shampoo bottle Green Polyvinyl chloride
Yoghurt pot White Polystyrene
Jif lemon juice container Yellow Low density polyethylene
Burger box Gold Expanded polystyrene

Solution Density
1 0.79
2 0.91
3 0.94
4 1.00
5 1.15
6 1.38
3
Composition of 1000 cm solution
Pure ethanol (IMS)
3 3
471 g (596 cm ) ethanol in 439 cm deionised water
3 3
354 g (448 cm ) ethanol in 586 cm deionised water
Deionised water
3
184 g K2CO3 in 965 cm deionised water
3
513 g K2CO3 in 866 cm deionised water

A class of 30 students requires approximately 90 cut samples of each polymer.

Containers should therefore be easily and quickly cut. Samples should be about 4 mm
square and labelled with the name of the container, not the polymer. If all the
containers are not different colours, samples could be cut into different shapes.
Samples can be recovered at the end of the lesson.

Teaching tips
Do not give out the questions (with results) until students have completed the
experiment.
Classic chemistry experiments 29

Background theory

Fingerprint
Polymer name Acronym Colour 1 2 3 4 5 6
Polyethylene terephthalate PET any S S S S S S
Polyvinyl chloride PVC any S S S S S –
Polystyrene PS any S S S S – –
High density polyethylene HDPE any S S S – – –
Low density polyethylene LDPE any S S – – – –
Polypropylene PP any S – – – – –
Expanded polystyrene EPS any – – – – – –

Samples sink if their density is greater than the density of the solution into which they
are put. Students can collect waste plastics over several weeks before this lesson.
Product containers and their lids are not always made out of the same material so it is
important to check their identities prior to the lesson. The identity of polystyrene is
–3
confirmed if samples float in a solution of density 1.15 g cm but sink in a solution of
–3
density 1.00 g cm . The solutions will need to be made in advance so the plastics can
be tested in advance of the lesson. Solutions should be labelled with their densities
–3
(given here in g cm at 20 °C). Temperature changes affect densities of solutions so
they should be stored together and not in a cold store. Instructions for preparing
3
solutions are as follows for 1 dm of each. A class of 30 students will use
3
approximately 200 cm of each.

Safety
Wear eye protection.
Ethanol is highly flammable and toxic. Potassium carbonate solid is an irritant, as are
concentrated solutions.

Answers
1. To dislodge air bubbles, which may make a ‘sinker’, float.
2. Depends on what is provided.
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Identifying polymers
Introduction
In this experiment solutions with known densities are used to identify the polymers
used in everyday materials.

Glass rod

Floaters

Test-tube
Samples
of plastic
containers

Sinkers

What to record
Solutions
Sample Colour (or shape) 1 2 3 4 5 6

What to do
1. Fill six test-tubes with solutions 1 to 6 and label each tube.
2. Place a sample of each type of polymer into solution 1.
3. Use a glass rod to stir the contents of the tube. Observe whether the waste plastics
float or sink.
4. For samples that sink, write the letter S in column 1 of the results table.
5. Wash the glass rod and dry it on a tissue or paper towel.
6. Repeat the test for solutions 2 to 6. Use a new sample each time.

Safety
Wear eye protection.
Solutions 1,2 and 3 are highly flammable and toxic. Solutions 5 and 6 are irritants.
Classic chemistry experiments 31

Questions
1. Why were the solutions stirred once the plastics were added?
2. Use the following table to identify the plastics. Fill in the table.

Fingerprint
Polymer name Acronym Colour 1 2 3 4 5 6
Polyethylene
terephthalate PET Any S S S S S S
Polyvinyl chloride PVC Any S S S S S –
Polystyrene PS Any S S S S – –
High density
polyethylene HDPE Any S S S - – –
Low density
polyethylene LDPE Any S S – - – –
Polypropylene PP Any S – – – – –
Expanded
polystyrene EPS Any – – – – – –

Polymer name Acronym Sample

Polyethylene terephthalate PET
Polyvinyl chloride PVC
Polystyrene PS
High density polyethylene HDPE
Low density polyethylene LDPE
Polypropylene PP
Expanded polystyrene EPS