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Abstract
Many materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. What do you think will happen to the elasticity (stretchiness) of a rubber band when it is heated or cooled to various temperatures?
Summary
Areas of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Difficulty
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
This project requires some specialty items. They can all be purchased online, or you may be able to borrow them from school. See the Materials list for details.
Cost
Low ($20 - $50)
Safety
Adult supervision is required for heating and pouring boiling water.
Credits
Andrew Olson, PhD, Science Buddies
Justin Spahn, Science Buddies
Sandra Slutz, PhD, Science Buddies
Sources
The idea for this project is by Vince Calder, from his answer on the Newton Ask A Scientist bulletin board:
- Mellendorf, K., et al. (2002). Hooke's Law and Rubber Bands Newton Ask A Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
Objective
The goal of this project is to investigate how the restoring force of a rubber band varies with temperature.
Introduction
All matter is made up of atoms, like carbon, or hydrogen, or oxygen. Atoms are linked together to form larger compounds called molecules. Some molecules are made by stringing together repeated subunits. Such molecules are called polymers. In some polymers, including many synthetic polymers in textiles and plastics, the subunits are identical. In other polymers, such as proteins manufactured inside cells, the subunits have a common 'backbone' structure, to which different chemical groups are attached.
Rubber is an example of a natural polymer. The chains of molecules in rubber have a natural elasticity: they can stretch when pulled. When the pulling force is removed, the elastic polymers in rubber spring back to their original length. A polymer with elastic properties like this is sometimes called an elastomer. The molecular chains of an elastomer basically act like springs.
Solid materials generally expand when heated and contract when cooled. How will temperature affect the elasticity of rubber bands? You can find out for yourself with this experiment.
Terms and Concepts
To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:
- Atom
- Molecule
- Polymer
- Elastomer
- Hooke's law
Questions
- How does the elasticity of rubber change with temperature?
Bibliography
- Explore this website to find out much more about polymers:
PSLC. (2007). The Kids' Macrogalleria. Polymer Science Learning Center, Department of Polymer Science, University of Southern Mississippi. Retrieved June 15, 2007. - Here you can learn about the chemical structure of rubber, a natural polymer:
Polymer Science Learning Center. (n.d.). Rubber. Department of Polymer Science, University of Southern Mississippi. Retrieved March 25, 2015. - The idea for this project is by Vince Calder, from his answer on the Newton Ask A Scientist bulletin board:
Mellendorf, K., et al. (2002). Hooke's Law and Rubber Bands. Newton Ask A Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
For help creating graphs, try this website:
- National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). Create a Graph. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
Materials and Equipment
- Rubber bands (six or more, all of the same size and width)
- Scissors
- Thermometer; available from online suppliers such as Carolina Biological Supply Company
- 250 ml graduated cylinder; must be clear and heat resistant. This item can be purchased from online vendors, such as Carolina Biological Supply Company. You may be able to borrow a similar item from your school.
- 100 g steel weight, with a hook or knob for attaching a rubber band to. This item can be purchased from online vendors, such as Carolina Biological Supply Company. You may be able to borrow a similar item from your school.
- Water
- Ice
- Pot or kettle
- Stovetop
- Wooden spoon, or other long-handled tool for stirring
- Ruler or tape measure, metric
- Play dough or putty
- Bamboo skewer or popsicle stick
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Experimental Procedure
- Do your background research so that you are knowledgeable about the terms, concepts, and questions, above.
- Heat a pot of water to boiling on the stovetop. With the help of an adult, carefully pour the boiling water into the graduated cylinder.
- Using the scissors, cut one rubber band so that it is a straight ribbon rather than a circle.
- Tie one end of the rubber band to the middle of the skewer, and the other end to the hook (or knob) on the steel weight.
- Gently, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot water or steam, lower the weight and rubber band into the graduated cylinder. Rest the skewer across the opening of the graduated cylinder to prevent the whole thing from falling inside. Use putty or play dough to secure the skewer to the edges of the graduated cylinder. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the experimental setup.
Figure 1. This diagram shows how to immerse the rubber band in water, by dangling it from a skewer. The other end of the rubber band is securely tied to a weight and a ruler is used to measure the rubber band stretch length between the skewer and the weight.
- Measure the water temperature with a thermometer. With the ruler, measure the rubber band stretch length between the skewer and the weight. Record both of these measurements in a data table in your lab notebook.
- Tip: If you find it difficult to use the ruler to measure the rubber band stretch length, then use the ruler to measure how many millimeters apart the tick marks are on the graduated cylinder. Now count tick marks between the bamboo skewer and the weight and convert that back into millimeters.
- Continue to measure the water temperature and stretch length every three to five minutes until the water temperature stabilizes around room temperature.
- Once the temperature has stabilized, pour out approximately 25mL of water from the graduated cylinder. Add 25mL of ice water to replace it. Mix the water in the graduated cylinder thoroughly with the handle of a wooden spoon or other long implement. Measure the water temperature and rubber band stretch length. Record the measurements in your lab notebook.
- Repeat step 8 until the final water temperature is approximately the same as your ice water.
- Repeat steps 2-9 twice more. Use a new rubber band each time. Make sure the starting length of your rubber bands (once they are tied to the bamboo and weight) is approximately the same each time.
- Repeating the experiment a total of three times will help you determine if your findings are consistent and reliable.
- Make a line graph of the rubber band stretch length (y-axis) vs. the water temperature (x-axis).
- In the end you should have one graph with three lines, each representing a different trial with a different rubber band.
- You can make your graph by hand, or use computer software, like Create A Graph.
- What happened to the rubber band stretch length as the temperature decreased? Is this what you expected to see based on your background reading? Did all three of your experimental trials behave similarly? What do you think would happen to the rubber band stretch if you started with ice water and kept increasing the water temperature? Repeat the experiment, this time figuring out a way to start with ice water and end with near-boiling water.
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Variations
- Do rubber bands behave like springs? Use the Procedure described in the following Science Buddies project with rubber bands in place of springs in order to find out: Applying Hooke's Law: Make Your Own Spring Scale.
- Do you think that the force required to break a rubber band will change with temperature? Use a spring scale to measure the maximum force that a rubber band can withstand before breaking. Perform multiple trials with rubber bands at different initial temperatures.
Careers
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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.
MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff. "Rubber Band Elasticity and Temperature." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/ApMech_p026/mechanical-engineering/rubber-band-elasticity-and-temperature. Accessed 5 Mar. 2023.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Rubber Band Elasticity and Temperature. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/ApMech_p026/mechanical-engineering/rubber-band-elasticity-and-temperature
Last edit date: 2020-11-20
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FAQs
How does temperature affect the elasticity of a rubber band experiment? ›
Thermal expansion caused the rubber bands to react as they did. When the rubber bands were heated, the particles stretched out, making them more elastic and able to withstand greater force. When frozen, the particles contracted, adding strength and decreasing resistance to force.
How do you calculate the elasticity of a rubber band? ›General Physics. The energy stored in the rubber band is determined by the bands k value (k is called the spring constant), and how far the rubber band is stretched. For each rubber band type, using the formula PE = ½kx2, calculate the “maximum” elastic potential energy (PE).
What factors affect the elasticity of a rubber band? ›Rubber bands in general stretch more in the presence of heat as Frye states, “rubber contracts when it gets colder. The molecules in the rubber band get closer together. This affects the elasticity…” This means that the band will not be able to stretch as far or support as much weight.
What changes when you stretch a rubber band answer? ›Stretching of a rubber band is a physical change since only the shape and size of a rubber band is changing and there is no formation of a new substance.
What is the relationship between temperature and elasticity? ›At higher temperatures, bonds between crystals become weak. So, same stress will produce a much larger strain, and crystals are not pulled back to same position, as intermolecular forces are weak, as said above. So, elasticity decreases at high temperatures.
What happens to elasticity when temperature increases? ›Increase in temperature decreases the modulus of elasticity. Increase in modulus of elasticity will increase the initial impact stress.
How do I calculate elasticity? ›How to Calculate Price Elasticity. To calculate price elasticity, divide the change in demand (or supply) for a product, service, resource, or commodity by its change in price. That figure will tell you which bucket your product falls into.
What is the elasticity of a rubber band? ›Rubber elasticity refers to a property of crosslinked rubber: it can be stretched by up to a factor of 10 from its original length and, when released, returns very nearly to its original length.
How do you determine which is more elastic? ›The price elasticity of demand is calculated by dividing the percentage change in quantity demanded by the percentage change in price. If the quotient is greater than or equal to one, the demand is considered to be elastic. If the value is less than one, demand is considered inelastic.
What happens when you heat a rubber band? ›By heating the rubber band, we increase the entropy. The molecules become more disordered and tangled, and thus the rubber band shrinks. This is just the opposite of what happens when we stretch the band.
What are the two factors that may affect the elasticity of a material? ›
Effect of temperature: In general as the temperature increases the elastic property of a material decreases. Effect of impurities: Addition of impurity to metal may increase or decrease the elasticity. If the impurity has more elasticity than the material to which it is added, it increases the elasticity.
Does stretching a rubber band increase its temperature? ›Rubber elasticity is an entropic phenomenon. When you stretch the elastic you force the constituent chains into a more ordered state, but you haven't stretched the chains themselves. Entropy cannot go down, so the entropy becomes thermal motion of the atoms, i.e. they get hot.
Why does a rubber band become warmer when you stretch it repeatedly explain? ›When molecules, not just rubber molecules, but any molecules, form crystals, they give off heat. This is why the rubber band feels hot when its stretched. When you let go of the rubber band, the polymer molecules break out of those crystals. Whenever molecules break out of crystals, they absorb heat.
What type of change is seen in stretched rubber band to its normal size? ›Only the shape of rubber changes when we stretch it, hence it is a physical change.
How does elasticity of a material depend on temperature? ›So, the effect of temperature on the value of Young's modulus of elasticity for various substances in general is that it decreases with rise in temperature.
Is elasticity independent of temperature? ›For most of the materials, elasticity decreases with temperature. One exception is invar steel.
Why does the modulus of elasticity decreases with increase in temperature? ›Because due to increase in temperature intermolecuular force decreases.
What affects elasticity the most? ›Key Takeaways. Many factors determine the demand elasticity for a product, including price levels, the type of product or service, income levels, and the availability of any potential substitutes. High-priced products often are highly elastic because, if prices fall, consumers are likely to buy at a lower price.
What happens to the elasticity with time increases or decreases? ›Elasticities are often lower in the short run than in the long run. Changes that just aren't possible to make in a short amount of time are realistic over a longer time frame. On the demand side, that can mean consumers eventually make lifestyle choices—like buying a more fuel efficient car to reduce their gas usage.
What causes elasticity to increase? ›ii.
The main reason for change in the elasticity of demand with change in price of some goods is the availability of their competing substitutes. The larger the number of close substitutes of a good available in the market, greater the elasticity for that good.
What is the rule of elasticity? ›
Hooke's law, law of elasticity discovered by the English scientist Robert Hooke in 1660, which states that, for relatively small deformations of an object, the displacement or size of the deformation is directly proportional to the deforming force or load.
What are the three methods to calculate elasticity? ›There are four methods of measuring elasticity of demand. They are the percentage method, point method, arc method and expenditure method.
What are the 4 types of elasticity of demand? ›Four types of elasticity are demand elasticity, income elasticity, cross elasticity, and price elasticity.
Does a rubber band have high elasticity? ›Materials like rubber have a high elasticity. This is because it is made up of millions of long and bendable chains of molecules. You can apply stress on these chains in any direction, but they will always return to their original shape. Ever wonder what holds your underpants up or why a rubber band stretches so much?
Do rubber bands lose their elasticity? ›Rubber bands wear out over time and also tend to lose their elasticity due to frequent washing as the softeners dissolve.
Does the elasticity of a rubber band depend on its thickness? ›Thickness: The band's thickness helps determine how much stretching and wear it can handle. Thin rubber bands can stretch more but snap more easily, while thicker bands are generally less stretchy but more robust and durable.
Does a higher number mean more elastic? ›Results of greater than 1 indicate high elasticity, with higher numbers indicating higher elasticity. A result of 1 indicates unit elastic demand, which is very rare. Results of less than 1 indicate relative inelasticity. A result of 0 indicates that a product is absolutely inelastic.
Is it elastic if it is less than 1? ›If the formula creates an absolute value greater than 1, the demand is elastic. In other words, quantity changes faster than price. If the value is less than 1, demand is inelastic.
What makes an object more elastic? ›The more an elastic band stretches, the more elastic potential energy exists. Elastic energy is energy stored in objects when they are under temporary strain, such as being stretched or squashed. The energy is released when the object returns to its original shape.
Does a stretched elastic band expand or contract on heating? ›When the rubber band is stretched, heating the rubber molecules causes them to move around more. As a result, the polymers become less aligned and more naturally disordered. This causes the rubber band to shrink. In other words, the molecules become more tangled, leading the rubber band to contract.
At what temperature does a rubber band burn? ›
Thankfully, It is difficult to set rubber on fire because the majority of rubbers only burn at temperatures between 500 – 600°F (260 – 316°C).
What temperature does rubber melt? ›Natural latex (rubber) begins to melt at approximately 180 °C (356 °F). Once rubber has been processed by vulcanizing, it will not melt, though it will begin to break down at temperatures above about 199°C (390°F).
Why is elasticity important? ›Elasticity is an important economic measure, particularly for the sellers of goods or services, because it indicates how much of a good or service buyers consume when the price changes. When a product is elastic, a change in price quickly results in a change in the quantity demanded.
What items are elastic? ›Examples of elastic commodities include products like vehicles, appliances, and luxury goods that are purchased infrequently. Consumers may choose to postpone purchasing if the price of these goods is temporarily high.
How does time affect elasticity of demand? ›The price elasticity of demand varies directly with the time period. The given time period can be as shorts as a day and as long as several years. The price elasticity of demand is directly proportional to the time period. This means the elasticity for a shorter time period is always low or it can be even inelastic.
Which factor do not affect the elasticity of a material? ›Modulus of elasticity is an internal property of matter and hence is unaffected by shape, size etc.
How does temperature affect elasticity of a rubber ball? ›When the ball is heated, it becomes more elastic, as the bonds are able to move more freely and thus are able to stretch more than those in a cooler ball, and thus less energy is lost (Portz, 2011). This then means that the ball bounces higher.
Does rubber expand or shrink when heated? ›Nature has a habit of breaking its own rules… Polymers like rubber shrink on heating as their molecular chains curl up, and water shrinks when warmed from its freezing point to around 4°C. After that, though, it behaves normally, and expands on warming.
How does temperature affect flexibility? ›When the body's temperature rises, the tissues surrounding the joints loosen, increasing the range of motion. The rise in muscle temperature improves flexibility and increases the efficiency of movement during your workout.
What happens when a rubber band is stretched answer? ›Complete answer:
It changes shape when extended and returns to its original shape when the applied force is withdrawn. That is why, after being a solid, a rubber band changes shape. Furthermore, if too much stress is applied, the rubber band will snap.
What happens in terms of energy when you stretch a rubber band? ›
You input potential (stored) energy into the rubber band system when you stretched the rubber band back. Because it is an elastic system, this kind of potential energy is specifically called elastic potential energy.
How does rubber band change shape and size? ›Yes, a rubber band can change its shape when a force is applied to it and can regain its shape when the force is removed. It is solid in nature but upon the application of force, the shape can change due to the elastic nature of the rubber band.
Is stretching of a rubber band fast or slow change? ›The changes which take place in a short period are called fast changes. Examples of fast reactions: The bursting of firecrackers, Burning of paper, Stretching of a rubber band.
What effect is produced when the rubber band is pulled tighter? ›The sound you hear will increase in volume if the rubber band is pulled tightly. Sound waves will be absorbed by your hand when you pluck the rubber band. The rubber band will vibrate faster and produce a higher pitch.
How does temperature affect Young's modulus experiment? ›The Young's modulus of the material of a wire decreases with increase in temperature. (In general elasticity will decrease as the temperature is increased.)
How does temperature affect Hooke's Law? ›...
| Temperature in oC (± 0.5 oC) | Force in N (± 0.05 N) |
|---|---|
| 56 | 1.5 |
| 61 | 1.6 |
| 66 | 1.4 |
By heating the rubber band, we increase the entropy. The molecules become more disordered and tangled, and thus the rubber band shrinks. This is just the opposite of what happens when we stretch the band.
Does heating the rubber band increase or decrease its entropy? ›For this change the entropy increases, which means the heat is positive. So if the system (aka rubber band) heat is positive, heat must go into the strands of polymer.
When temperature increases modulus of elasticity will increase? ›Hence, the modulus of elasticity decreases as temperature increases and vice versa.
How does temperature affect an experiment? ›Increasing the temperature increases the average speed of the reactant molecules. As more molecules move faster, the number of molecules moving fast enough to react increases, which results in faster formation of products.
What happens to Young's modulus when temperature is doubled? ›
As Y=AΔLFL,when temperature is doubled, ΔL increases and accordingly Y decreases.
Does tension increase or decrease with temperature? ›The surface tension of liquids generally decreases with increase of temperature and becomes zero at critical temperature (when meniscus between the liquid and the vapour disappears).
Does tension increase with temperature? ›Surface tension decreases on increasing temperature due to decrease in cohesive forces (attraction between the like molecules).
Why does tension increase with temperature? ›The strength of surface tension depends on intermolecular forces. As temperature increases, molecules of liquid become more active and they move more rapidly; therefore, the intermolecular forces are more instable.
Why does the temperature of a rubber band increase when stretched? ›Rubber elasticity is an entropic phenomenon. When you stretch the elastic you force the constituent chains into a more ordered state, but you haven't stretched the chains themselves. Entropy cannot go down, so the entropy becomes thermal motion of the atoms, i.e. they get hot.
Does rubber expand with heat? ›Nature has a habit of breaking its own rules… Polymers like rubber shrink on heating as their molecular chains curl up, and water shrinks when warmed from its freezing point to around 4°C. After that, though, it behaves normally, and expands on warming.
Do rubber bands lose elasticity? ›Rubber bands wear out over time and also tend to lose their elasticity due to frequent washing as the softeners dissolve.
Does a rubber band have more or less elastic energy when it is stretched? ›The more an elastic band stretches, the more elastic potential energy exists. Elastic energy is energy stored in objects when they are under temporary strain, such as being stretched or squashed. The energy is released when the object returns to its original shape.
Does lowering temperature increase entropy? ›Entropy increases as temperature increases. An increase in temperature means that the particles of the substance have greater kinetic energy. The faster-moving particles have more disorder than particles that are moving slowly at a lower temperature.