Can I put styrofoam in recycle bins?
Styrofoam is one of those materials that doesn’t break down but it can be reused if done properly. If your municipality has bins specifically for styrofoam by all means put it there but never, NEVER put it into bins for recycling of other materials. If burned it produces a highly toxic gas so you would not want it mixed with other materials that are processed with heat.It can be used for packing material, for mixing with soil to keep it aerated, and one of the most interesting uses I have seen is using it to make styrofoam/cement blocks and girders for building.Just as an aside, a home built using these styrofoam/cement forms can be put up in a day, is insulated against both heat and cold and can be carved. I would think it might be an inexpensive way to provide housing for the homeless but there could be drawbacks of which I am unaware.
Calorimetry - foam cup vs glass beaker?
My understanding is that the foam cup has a lower specific heat capacity and therefore is able to hold more heat than the glass beaker. I'm confused, though, on how this will effect the calorimetry constant... if you were to use the glass beaker instead of the foam cup, would the calorimeter constant be higher or lower? Could someone explain why?