Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

name         Michael G.
status       student
age          9

Question -   How would I detect plastic?  My assignment for enrichment
is to invent something.  I was thinking of an Easter egg detector.  I
need to make a model and find out some information.
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Michael,

Short of some chemically destructive identification procedure, there is no
simple method to "detect" plastic. Metal detectors and the like are not
designed to interact with plastic. If the Easter eggs to which you refer had
something made of metal inside, a metal detector would suffice.

You have taken on a task that may be beyond your ability to deliver.

Regards,
ProfHoff
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