Learning the properties of Buton asphalt as an oil shale in Buton island to expand the knowledge of students about physics

Abstract

Asphalt in Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, has a large reserve amount of around 650 million tons. In Buton, asphalt is only used for road construction, but this asphalt has characteristics that can be utilized as a substance to produce crude oil. The purposes of this research are to increase or expand the knowledge of educated participants about the characteristics and advantages of Buton asphalt and oil shale as community natural resources and to compare the density of each asphalt mining area namely Kabungka (winto mine), Lawele, and Sampolawa. It aims is to make Buton asphalt as a source of learning. The research method used is the literature study and experiment. The results of the study are that the characteristics of asphalt Buton approach the characteristics of oil shale in Green River, US. The density of Buton asphalt in each region is different. Conclusion of the research that asphalt/tar sand on Buton Island is categorized as a solid/semi-solid type hydrocarbon oil shale. The implementation of this study can be used for senior high school of class X student by visiting the asphalt mine to conduct simple experiments such as measuring the height of the asphalt cliff and determining the direction of the wind eye. Asphalt is used to measure its density. The experiment procedure is made in a module that will later be used by students.