Chemistry project 9

Lab report write up:

 Through out this project I worked to spread awareness about microplastics. I did this by first researching them, I found  out the different effects of microplastics and how they can be enhanced. I then worked to expand my knowledge with an experiment that allowed me to compare two different kinds of plastic, Polyethylene, and polypropylene. I then exposed the two different kinds of plastic to two different things that are commonly in a Tupperware life cycle. One being microwaving, and the other is weathering. This experiment allowed me to spread awareness about microplastics and learn more about the harsh effects, and how to avoid them.

        Although the data couldn’t be trusted due to faulty equipment, I still learned a great deal about the scientific process. I believe the issue with the scale was an unexpected confounding variable, and not a problem with how I recorded or organized my data. If I could repeat the experiment, I would ensure the equipment is thoroughly tested beforehand and extend the timeline to gather more consistent data. I would also add a new test group to observe how the plastics react to hot food or water, creating more realistic conditions for typical container use. Overall, I enjoyed this project, gained valuable skills, and hope I helped raise awareness by sharing my findings with others.