Why does acetone dissolve styrofoam

All of the compounds exist differently, and their uses differ too. Also, their chemical properties are specific to each which makes them distinct from one another. The same cases apply to both Acetone and Styrofoam with each possessing distinct chemical properties, ingredients, uses, and well as existence. Difference Between Acetone and Styrofoam. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. MLA 8 Brown, Sarah. Please be accurate when attempting to write about technical subjects.

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Written by : Sarah Brown. Accessed 1 Feb User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages. Styrofoam is an excellent insulator meaning that it resists changing temperature.

Air is a good insulator. Think about your windows in your house. If you have a double pane window, the air in between each pane resists changing temperature. If it is cold outside, the air gap keeps the warmer air from mixing with the cooler air - thus keeping your house warm. The same is true with styrofoam.

The small air bubbles in the foam resist changing temperature. So, your hot coffee in the foam cup stays warmer longer because the pockets of air are keeping it from interacting with the cooler air outside the cup. Why does acetone melt styrofoam?

Styrofoam dissolves in acetone, it doesn't actually melt - melting requires heat. So, the correct question is: Why does acetone dissolve styrofoam? Physical Properties of Styrofoam. Alternative Solvents to Benzene. How to Calculate a Mole Fraction. Styrofoam Vs. Plastic Cups. How to Remove Acetone Residue. How to Find the Mole Fraction. What is a Nonvolatile Solute? How to Make Bouncy Putty.

One of these ways uses acetone. Acetone is an organic molecule made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and is the simplest member of the ketone family. On the right is a picture of acetone at the atomic level. Most of the uses of acetone revolve around a single property: it is an excellent solvent. This means that it does a great job of dissolving many different kinds of molecules, making it useful as a cleaning agent in chemistry labs and a remover of nail polish.

Styrofoam is made of polystyrene, which in itself means a chain of styrene.