News Release

Making polystyrene dissolve like magic (video)

Reports and Proceedings

American Chemical Society

Making Polystyrene Dissolve like Magic (Video)

image: Have you ever seen a foam cup appear to melt away in acetone? Foam cups, bowls and containers are made of a lightweight but strong material -- expanded polystyrene. How then does acetone reduce this substance to a blob of goo? In this week's video, Reactions teams up with chemistry professor Matt Hartings, Ph.D., to explain the viral phenomenon. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/FrnDB2_Kt-4. view more 

Credit: The American Chemical Society

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2016 -- Have you ever seen a foam cup appear to melt away in acetone? Foam cups, bowls and containers are made of a lightweight but strong material - expanded polystyrene. How then does acetone reduce this substance to a blob of goo? In this week's video, Reactions teams up with chemistry professor Matt Hartings, Ph.D., to explain the viral phenomenon. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/FrnDB2_Kt-4.

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