Cesar Avila Results: Part A (measurements of samples to find density): Mass (measured with electronic balance): Sample 1 2 3 4 Mass

(g) 6.571 10.119 13.609 16.882

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Dimensions of Plastic Sample (measured with Vernier calipers): Sample 1 2 3 4 Length (cm) 2.00 cm 3.00 cm 4.00 cm 5.00 cm Width (cm) 1.70 cm 1.70 cm 1.70 cm 1.70 cm Height (cm) 1.45 cm 1.45 cm 1.45 cm 1.45 cm

Volume (using measurements obtained from Vernier calipers): Sample Equation for Plastic Sample 1: V=l*w*h 2.00*1.70*1.45=4.93 cm3 V=4.93 cm3 Sample 1 2 3 4 Volume (cm3) 4.93 7.39 9.86 12.33

Density (using measurements obtained from Vernier caliper): Sample Equation for Plastic Sample 1: =m/v 6.671/4.93=1.3 g/cm3 =0.883g/cm3 Sample (g/cm3) 1 1.33 2 1.37 3 1.38 4 1.37 Average Density (using measurements from Vernier calipers): =1+2+3+4/4 = 1.36 g/cm3

Cesar Avila

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Density (Vernier Caliper Measurements)

18 16 14 12 10 Mass (g) 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 Volume (cm3) 10 12 14 Density (Vernier Caliper Measurements)

Volume (using measurements obtained from graduated cylinder) Sample Equation for Plastic Sample 1: Vfinal Vinitial = Vplastic 74.3 mL-70.0 mL=4.30 mL Sample 1 2 3 4 Vinitial (mL) 70.0 70.0 70.0 70.0 Vfinal (mL) 74.3 77.2 79.9 82.0 Vplastic (mL) 4.30 7.20 9.90 12.00

Density (using measurements obtained from graduated cylinder): Sample (g/mL) 1 1.50 2 1.41 3 1.37 4 1.41 Average Density (using measurements from graduated cylinder): =1+2+3+4/4 = 1.42 g/mL

Cesar Avila

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Density (Graduated Cylinder Measurements)

18 16 14 12 10 Mass (g) 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 Volume (mL) 10 12 14 Series1

Part B (use of density to identify unknown plastic): Dimensions of Plastic 1 (cylinder): Height Radius (Diameter/2) Volume of Plastic 1 (cylinder): V=r2h V=(.502)(3.50) V=2.75 cm3 Mass of Plastic 1 (cylinder): 2.298 g Density of Plastic 1 (cylinder): =m/v =2.298/2.75 =0.836 g/cm3 Identity of Plastic 1 (cylinder): LDPE 3.50 cm 0.50 cm

Cesar Avila Discussion Questions:

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1. Explain why significant figures are important to measurement and what they signify. As one of the most heavily scrutinized components of any calculation or set of data, significant figures have proved to be one of the most important features in any numerical value given in a lab report. This importance stems from the fact that significant figures, for the most part, determine the accuracy of ones findings. If one were to rely primarily on calculations done by a calculator without taking in to account of significant figures, then they would ultimately be left with data more accurate than any of the instruments that they used to take measurements or find certain values. Since garnering results several degrees more accurate than measuring instruments are capable of producing is impossible, significant figures show the correct result to the closest known degree of accuracy. That being said, by controlling the amount of decimal places that one can include in their results, significant figures signify to the reader how accurately one could measure the data. 2. Of the measurements you made, which were more precise: the mass measurements or the volume measurements? After having completed all of the measurements necessary to determine the density of the plastic sample it was clear that the measurements for volume were more precise than those for mass. Since precision is defined as the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged circumstances show the same results, it is impossible to measure true precision since the samples all vary in terms of dimension and thus both volume and weight. In order to determine which was more relatively precise I studied the increment of increase between sample variations: Sample 1 2 3 4 Mass (g) 6.571 10.119 13.609 16.882 Sample 1 2 3 4 Volume (cm3) 4.93 7.39 9.86 12.33

Difference: 3.548 g Difference: 3.490 g Difference: 3.273 g

Difference: 2.47 cm3 Difference: 2.47 cm3 Difference: 2.47 cm3

As evidenced by the charts and the calculations for differences between samples, the measurements for volume are more precise because they all increase in a linear model of 2.47 cm3 per sample.

Cesar Avila 3. Is it practical to use density to separate plastics? Explain.

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Although density is one of the most readily measurable properties of plastic, it is not a very practical means of separating plastics. Since there are several plastics that are denser than water then one could put all of the samples in a pool of water. By doing this, one could ascertain that the plastics that have sunk have a density of over 1.0 g/mL, which would narrow the possible plastics to very few, but not any one in particular. In order to further separate the remaining plastics one would need to repeat the process several times with liquids of varying densities in order to identify the plastics. Perhaps if this were done on a small scale with readily available liquids of varying densities then it might be pragmatic but generally speaking, it is not. 4. Propose another way to separate plastics making use of a different property other than density. Since melting is one of the most integral steps in recycling, I believe that the most effective way to separate plastics would be to heat the plastics to different temperatures to take advantage of their varying melting points. In doing so, one would need a large-scale source of heat as well as a chart with the melting point values for the various plastics. In order to increase accuracy of separation, the samples would start at the lowest possible heat and then increase according to the various melting points provided. At each level, a different plastic will be identified until you are left with a single one. While there are many different means of separating plastics, I believe that this is an entirely practical way of doing so.

Cesar Avila Experiment One: Measurement Observations:

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Plastic samples all cut in same shape (rectangular prism) but differ in dimensions. Plastic samples are all proportional to one another. Exhibit a dark gray color, completely opaque. From sample to sample, the only dimension that changes is the length. This means that there are constant values for both height and width.

Procedure: Part A (measurements of sample to obtain density): Linear Measurements (Vernier calipers): 1. Using the electronic balance, record the mass of each of the four samples. Record this data. 2. Using the Vernier calipers, measure the length, width, and height of each of the four samples. Record this data. 3. Calculate the volume for each sample by inserting the measured values into the formula V=lxwxh. 4. For each sample, divide its mass by its measured volume to obtain the density. Graduated Cylinder: 1. Using the electronic balance, record the mass of each of the four samples. Record this data. 2. Fill a graduated cylinder to a certain volume. Record this volume as the initial volume or Vinitial. 3. Place the plastic sample inside of the filled graduated cylinder. Record the new volume of the water as the final volume or Vfinal. 4. Subtract the initial volume from the final volume in order to determine the displacement of the plastic sample. This displacement will equal the volume. 5. Repeat for each sample. 6. For each sample, divide its mass by its measured volume to obtain the density. Part B (use of density to identify unknown plastic): 1. Using the Vernier calipers, measure the height and diameter of the cylinder. Divide the diameter in half to obtain the radius. 2. Calculate the volume of the cylinder using the formula V=r2h. 3. Obtain the mass of the cylinder using the electronic balance. 4. Divide the mass by the calculated volume in order to find the density of the sample. 5. Compare the calculated density with the literature values to determine the identity of the sample.