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Join the American Chemical Society at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield, Illinois |
Beware the Wicked Witch
| Materials: | A small glass container, 5 ml (a few tablespoons) of acetone, small chunks of polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). |
| Note: | A plastic container may be used instead of the glass container if it is not attacked by the acetone. Caution: Eye protection should always be worn when handling chemicals. Adult supervision is required. |
Procedure:
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Acetone is placed in a small container such as a small weigh boat or test tube cap. Small carvings of Styrofoam are placed in the acetone. The Styrofoam will dissolve. Reference is made to the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz. Several more carvings of the Styrofoam can be added showing that Styrofoam is mostly air. The Styrofoam is dissolving, not melting.
----Contributed by Frank Salter, Mark Twain Section