Plastic Identification
Scientific Background
A student, who lives in Miami, picks up trash on the beach while volunteering for a service club. The student knows that any plastic items collected needs to melt within a range of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius in order to be recycled at a local recycling facility.


Writing Task
Write an explanation that determines the identity of the plastic and whether or not it is recyclable at the local recycling center.

In your essay, be sure to complete the following tasks:
- Calculate the density of the plastic trash and predict the density of the ocean water.
- Identify the plastic and predict if it would sink or float in the ocean.
- Create an argument about whether the plastic would be recyclable at the local recycling center.

(Documents A through D are related to this Writing Task.)



DOCUMENT A



Substance Letter
Identity
Density
A
Isopropyl Alcohol
0.8 g/mL
B
Water
1.0 g/mL
C
Ocean Water
?
D
Honey
1.4


















DOCUMENT B


Volume of Water in the Graduated Cylinder
Before the plastic trash is added
100.0 mL
After the plastic trash is added
106.3 mL



DOCUMENT C




Mass of plastic piece
5.99 g








DOCUMENT D

Density Table of Types of Plastic


Substance
Density (g/mL)
PETE
1.39
HDPE
0.95
PVC
1.25
PP
0.91






DOCUMENT E

Type of Plastic
Melting Point
PETE
260oC
PP
160oC
HDPE
145oC
PVC
100oC