Research: Vinegar and Casein Plastic
Team Leader: Karilyn Hutchenrider
Partner: Helen Vo
Mrs. Desai
9-22-14
Research Plan Rationale:
In the world today, plastic is one of the most commonly used substances. Different types of plastic have been discovered and used for several decades. One of these types of plastic is called Casein plastic. Casein plastic is made from the casein protein found in milk. One method of creating this plastic is by adding an acid such as vinegar to the milk, and separating the filtrate (the plastic created) from the liquid. This experiment will test if the pH level of an acid effects the amount of plastic produced. This research is important because the world is always needing a more efficient way of producing things. This experiment will help to determine if there is a more efficient way of plastic from milk, to suppress the ever-growing demand for plastic.
Question/Problem:
Does the pH level of an acid effect the amount of casein plastic is produced?
Hypothesis:
If lemon juice is used during this experiment, then more plastic will be produced.
Research Methods and Conclusions:
Materials:
Goggles
Gloves
Mittens (for handling hot materials)
Beaker tongs
Apron
200 mL Lemon Juice
200 mL Distilled White Vinegar (5% acid concentration)
200 mL Orange Juice
200 mL Apple Cider Vinegar (5% acid concentration)
2,400 mL Whole Milk
Graduated Cylinder
Electronic balance
Thermometer
Hot Plate/ Stove
Beaker 300mL
12 Cotton cloth pieces
12 Rubber bands
12 Plastic cups 300 mL
12 Mugs 300 mL
4 Stirring rods
Procedure:
Label four mugs: 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1- vinegar (control), 2- apple cider vinegar, 3- lemon juice, 4- orange juice.
Use the graduated cylinder to add 50ml of each acid to their specific mug, heat 800ml of milk on a stove or hot plate.
Heat the milk until it reaches 50° C.
Carefully pour 200ml of hot milk in to each of the four mugs with their acids in them. Make sure to pour the milk in to all four of the mugs at the same time so that the
Partner: Helen Vo
Mrs. Desai
9-22-14
Research Plan Rationale:
In the world today, plastic is one of the most commonly used substances. Different types of plastic have been discovered and used for several decades. One of these types of plastic is called Casein plastic. Casein plastic is made from the casein protein found in milk. One method of creating this plastic is by adding an acid such as vinegar to the milk, and separating the filtrate (the plastic created) from the liquid. This experiment will test if the pH level of an acid effects the amount of plastic produced. This research is important because the world is always needing a more efficient way of producing things. This experiment will help to determine if there is a more efficient way of plastic from milk, to suppress the ever-growing demand for plastic.
Question/Problem:
Does the pH level of an acid effect the amount of casein plastic is produced?
Hypothesis:
If lemon juice is used during this experiment, then more plastic will be produced.
Research Methods and Conclusions:
Materials:
Goggles
Gloves
Mittens (for handling hot materials)
Beaker tongs
Apron
200 mL Lemon Juice
200 mL Distilled White Vinegar (5% acid concentration)
200 mL Orange Juice
200 mL Apple Cider Vinegar (5% acid concentration)
2,400 mL Whole Milk
Graduated Cylinder
Electronic balance
Thermometer
Hot Plate/ Stove
Beaker 300mL
12 Cotton cloth pieces
12 Rubber bands
12 Plastic cups 300 mL
12 Mugs 300 mL
4 Stirring rods
Procedure:
Label four mugs: 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1- vinegar (control), 2- apple cider vinegar, 3- lemon juice, 4- orange juice.
Use the graduated cylinder to add 50ml of each acid to their specific mug, heat 800ml of milk on a stove or hot plate.
Heat the milk until it reaches 50° C.
Carefully pour 200ml of hot milk in to each of the four mugs with their acids in them. Make sure to pour the milk in to all four of the mugs at the same time so that the
Bibliography: Southward, C.R.. "Casein Products." Casein Products. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://nzic.org.nz/ChemProcesses/dairy/3E.pdf>. Unknown. "The Plastics Historical Society - Casein." The Plastics Historical Society - Casein. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.plastiquarian.com/index.php?id=60>. Unknown. "Sculpted Science: Turn Milk into Plastic!." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-milk-plastic/>. Unknown. "Milk Protein." Milk Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.milkfacts.info/Milk%20Composition/Protein.htm>. Unknown. (2012, January 1). Milk. Retrieved September 21, 2014, from http://food.oregonstate.edu/learn/milk.html