Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hey All,

am new in here so please pardon me if i make a mistake here or anywhere


my friends and i have decided to do a Science Project on Thermal Depolymerization with the submission date of 16th November 2009.
the problem is, we arent sure what exactly should be for the model, or how it should be done either, is it possible to recreate the whole process inside a lab? or just a demonstration, if the latter, how should we make it, my best guess would be by straws and plastic bottles...but am here for better ideas!

Hi harshmittal,

Though this isn't a science experiment, it is still a relevant question for this ask an expert board (it is still a project).

You probably could do it in a lab, though you would probably need advanced equipment. Seeing as how your project is due in a few days, I don't think you would finish in time!

Your best bet is to do a model. You could easily use marshmallows and toothpicks, or straws, and colored markers to differentiate the atoms. I would look up the chemical reaction for this process and see if you can discuss part (or all) of it on a small scale (you wouldn't want to build a model of the ENTIRE molecule, that would be too much work, just the pieces that are involved in the reaction).

If the reaction is too complicated to make a marshmallow model, make a powerpoint presentation or display board with diagrams of the reaction and overall process.

You could then practice a group "speech" on how you will describe the reaction. You'll want to be sure to explain why the reaction is important and how it relates to the real world. I'd also talk about how it is similar/different to how the fossil fuels we use today were made by geological processes over many years.

If you have more questions, reply to your original post. Good luck!