[Micah98]

Hello!

I am doing a Google Science Fair this year, and I am planning on doing a project on how to change Petroleum (Liquid Hydrocarbon) into a harder substance (Plastic Hydrocarbon). Is this possible? If so, what kind of chemical should I be looking for? How should I be going about doing this experiment? Do you think I should be using a computer simulation in addition to real life testing? I know these are a lot of questions, but I just wanted to know what all you smart guys and gals have to say about this...

Thanks for any information you could offer!

Micah

[billnotgatez]

When doing a science fair project it is best to do a lot of research into the literature that is available before locking down on a topic for the project. You may want to refine you project so it is not too broad.
In the past, this was a task best done in the library, but now you have a great resource with the Internet.
One resource that I never quote from in a report, but gives me good direction is WIKIPEDIA.
It gives me a good overview and at the end gives me lists of other sources.
For instance, the WIKI on plastic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic
says in the first paragraph

A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are malleable. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural.[2]

Which answers some of your questions in the post  you just made.
WIKI is patrolled by dedicated members as well as the chemical society, which reduces the chance of trolling vandalism and quackery.

There are also several search engines on the internet that can give you links that will add to your knowledge. This forum many times suggests using GOOGLE. You have to be a savvy user to select the appropriate search question to get your best results. Also, you need to back up whatever you find on a search to insure you have accurate results and books at the library can help you with verification.
For instance I did a GOOGLE on
plastics and petroleum
and got lots of hits.
Now it is a process of sorting through the links and selecting what might be an initial resource.

After doing you initial search of the information you can "define you problem precisely", which is one of the first steps in asking a science question.

Here on this forum we teach you how to find your answer and give hints when you may be getting the wrong answer.
If you have not done so already, please read the forum rules.
Click on the link near the top center of the forum page.
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting.

After doing some research, please post the answers to your questions and we will make suggestions.
After all this is your science project.

[billnotgatez]

I wanted to add this link for convenience to aid in further discussion about Google Science Fair.
https://www.googlesciencefair.com/en/

[Micah98]

Ok,

First off I wanted to thank you for your response.

To be honest, this is not my first time around the block conserning science fairs. In fact I did one last year in  46 days on "Computer-aided Protein-directed Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry for the Successful Treatment of Drug Resistant Malaria Strains". so yeah.

Concerning my problems which I am coming across... I don't know where to start. Literally... I haven't had any ideas how to start. I know how to do research, and reach out to people for help (last time I tried 4 universities, and 16 or 17 different professors... only two decided to help me... ).

So you might have to put up with some crazy questions as I am a HS student.
For instance, I am thinking about using plasticizer (1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester) in addition to a catalyzer (I don't know what yet.) to make this work... What do you think?

Thanks!

Micah

[billnotgatez]

I am not a plastics chemist and my interest in plastics chemistry is more historical.
http://theinventors.org/library/inventors/blplastic.htm
http://www.plasticsindustry.org/AboutPlastics/content.cfm?ItemNumber=670&navItemNumber=1117
http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/curators_guide/plastics_timeline
http://www.plastiquarian.com/index.php?id=13&subid=135
http://www.worldofchemicals.com/413/chemistry-articles/chemistry-of-plastics-resins-rubber.html
I am interested in how they made certain plastics in history which are of little use today.
Therefore I am of limited helping ability.

So I am hoping we have a member that is a plastics chemist who might be interested in chiming in on the topic. We might need to wait since not everyone checks the forum daily.

But, I am still unclear as to the direction you are trying to take.
It seems your previous science fair project had clearer definition.