#Chemistry #Metal #Plastic #Dissolving #Science #ChemicalReactions
Have you ever wondered why certain substances can dissolve metal but not plastic? It’s a fascinating concept that can be explained through the principles of chemistry and the unique properties of different materials. In this article, we will delve into the science behind this phenomenon and explore some real-world examples to help you better understand how it all works.
##Understanding Dissolution:
Before we dive into why something can dissolve metal but not plastic, let’s first clarify what dissolution actually means. Dissolution is a process in which a solute (substance being dissolved) is dispersed in a solvent (the substance doing the dissolving) to form a homogeneous mixture known as a solution. This process occurs through various chemical reactions and interactions between the solute and solvent molecules.
###Key Points:
– Dissolution is a chemical process that involves the dispersal of a solute in a solvent.
– It results in the formation of a homogeneous solution.
##Dissolving Metal:
Now that we have a basic understanding of dissolution, let’s take a closer look at how certain substances can dissolve metal. Metals are known for their reactivity with certain chemicals, which makes them susceptible to dissolution under the right conditions. When a metal comes into contact with a substance that can react with it, such as an acid or a strong base, a series of chemical reactions occur that ultimately break down the metal’s structure and cause it to dissolve.
###Key Points:
– Metals can dissolve when they react with specific chemicals, such as acids or bases.
– Chemical reactions break down the metal’s structure and cause it to dissolve.
###Example:
– An example of metal dissolution can be seen when iron reacts with hydrochloric acid to form iron chloride and hydrogen gas. This reaction causes the iron to dissolve as it reacts with the acid.
##Protective Coating on Metals:
While metals can be dissolved under certain conditions, it’s important to note that some metals are less reactive and more resistant to dissolution. This is often due to the presence of a protective coating on the metal’s surface, such as oxide layers or other corrosion-resistant materials. These coatings act as a barrier that shields the metal from the environment and prevents it from coming into contact with substances that can dissolve it.
###Key Points:
– Some metals have protective coatings that make them less reactive and resistant to dissolution.
– Protective coatings act as a barrier against corrosive substances.
###Example:
– The zinc coating on galvanized steel helps protect the underlying metal from corrosion and dissolution by forming a protective layer that prevents contact with corrosive substances.
##Dissolving Plastic:
On the other hand, plastic materials are generally non-reactive and insoluble in most common solvents. This is because plastics are made up of long chains of polymers that are held together by strong covalent bonds. These bonds are highly stable and do not easily break down when exposed to chemical substances, making plastics resistant to dissolution compared to metals.
###Key Points:
– Plastics are composed of polymers that are held together by strong covalent bonds.
– Covalent bonds in plastic molecules make them resistant to dissolution by most solvents.
###Example:
– PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a type of plastic that is known for its chemical resistance and durability, making it a popular choice for applications where dissolution is a concern.
##Summary:
In summary, the ability of a substance to dissolve metal but not plastic can be attributed to the unique chemical properties of these materials. While metals are reactive and prone to dissolution under specific conditions, plastics are non-reactive and resistant to dissolution due to the stable nature of their molecular structure. Understanding these concepts can help shed light on the science behind why certain substances can dissolve metals but not plastic and how protective coatings play a role in preserving metal integrity.
So, the next time you come across a material that dissolves metal but not plastic, you’ll have a better grasp of the underlying processes that make it all possible. Science truly is a fascinating world of discovery! 🌟🔬🧪
#ChemistryExplained #MetalDissolution #PlasticProperties #ScienceIsAmazing #ChemicalReactionsExplained
Because of what is required to dissolve it! Basically, acids and bases take advantage of properties metals exhibit and can oxidize them (has to do with the ways metals become stable with fewer electrons). Plastics don’t have the same ability to oxidize (all plastics have carbon, carbon HATES losing electrons), so they will be more resistent.
You can think of it like this:
A male peacock (acid or base) can successfully attract a mate (metal) using its mating rituals (ability to remove an electron), but it does absolutely nothing for chicken hens (plastic). The ritual impacts the birds (material) differently because they think and behave differently.
The ELI5 is: “Different things react differently to different things.”Â
That’s why iron + water = rust, but plastic + water = wet plastic.Â
Plastic and metal are different. You may think of metal as “strong” and plastic “weak” but these words are meaningless in chemistry and materials science.
It is incredibly easy for a chemical to attack most metals, because they are reactive. On a chemical level, they don’t want to exist on their own. Oxygen from the air or chloride from hydrochloric acid will gleefully bond to those metal atoms.
Plastics being long chains of carbon are very stable. Carbon is electrically neutral so it isn’t really attracted towards oxygen or ions but with the right conditions it can still be made to react.
Metals are a crystal of solid metal sometimes with an outer layer of rust (oxidation). So if you have a hunk of iron, it is mostly Iron atoms.
Most metals react with acids to release the hydrogen from the acid and the remaining ion (Chlorine, for example, in Hydrochloric Acid) bonds with the metal.
Plastic is not a solid hunk of the same atoms, it is made of chains of carbon, hydrogen, and other atoms already fully bonded. Some strong acids and other chemicals can break these bonds, but most do not.
See the first season of Breaking Bad for a really gross result of this.
The same way salt dissolves in water but cinnamon doesn’t.
Different things do different things.
Plastic is not very reactive, which is why it hangs around a while in the atmosphere. Also, the molecular ropes of Plastic pack in tightly together, so it’s difficult for solvent molecules to wedge their way in
Kinda like why water dissolves sugar but not sand, different substances can react with metal but not with plastic and viceversa
Chemical elements (and compunds) interact (react) when their atomic structure allows or even “likes” that (number of electrons, etc).
Imagine you’re in a room with bunch of Chinese people, but can’t speak Chinese. Someone comes and says something in Chinese and people go totally mad, start being violent or cry and scream or whatever. And you didn’t understand a thing, even though you’re a human being like everyone else and heard what they said like every else. Only difference is that you don’t speak the language. And they don’t understand how you can stay so calm.
Chemistry works quite a bit like this. Some things are compatible and some are not, and some are extremely compatible with most of the stuff, so we use them as reagents a lot, like salts and water and such, while ones that don’t react with anything much make great tools and utensils and so on, because they last forever (and don’t contaminate food).