Ethan Clarke
Balls are known to be bouncy, but not all balls are made of the same material. Traditionally, balls were made of natural rubber, but today, they are made of plastics, polymers, and even treated leather. The elasticity of the material is what makes a ball bounce. The best materials for bouncing are those that can quickly and easily return to their original shape after being stretched like an elastic band. While rubber is a well-known example of a bouncy material, there are other plastics that can also be bouncy. For instance, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s that allowed children to blow semi-solid bubbles that could be manipulated and stacked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Super Elastic Bubble Plastic |
| Manufacturer | Wham-O |
| Year | 1970s-1980s |
| Consistency | Bubblegum |
| Composition | Polyvinyl acetate dissolved in acetone, with ethyl acetate plastic fortifiers |
| Durability | More durable than soap bubbles, less durable than regular balloons |
| Safety Issues | Potential spills, noxious fumes, choking hazards |
| Age Recommendation | Not recommended for children under 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bouncing balls can be made at home using glue, cornstarch and borax
- The elasticity of the material determines how well it bounces
- Rubber is a very elastic material and therefore bounces easily
- The bounciness of a ball depends on the material it is made of and the floor it bounces on
- Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy from the 1970s and 1980s that could be blown into bubbles that could be gently manipulated
Plastic bouncing balls can be made at home using glue, cornstarch and borax
Plastic bouncing balls can be made at home using glue, cornstarch, and borax. This is a fun activity for children, and a great way to teach them about polymers and elasticity.
The glue used in this experiment is a polymer, which is a large molecule made up of a bunch of smaller molecules that are stacked in a repeating pattern. When the glue is added to the borax water, the borax acts as a cross-linker, hooking the glue's molecules together to form a rubbery, bouncy ball. The cornstarch is added to help bind the molecules together, so the ball holds its shape. The ball bounces due to the elasticity of the material. The long polymer chains are flexible, so when the ball hits the ground, it can deform or squish momentarily. The polymers also make the ball elastic, meaning it tends to return to its original shape.
To make the bouncing balls, first, prepare the borax and water mixture. For this, you will need half a cup of warm water and a tablespoon of borax. Stir the mixture until the borax is completely dissolved. In a separate bowl, mix a couple of tablespoons of glue and a tablespoon of cornstarch. You can also add a few drops of food colouring to the mixture if you want a coloured ball.
Once the mixtures are ready, pour the glue mixture into the borax water and let it sit for about 10-15 seconds. The glue will start to harden and can be removed with a fork. If the ball is still sticky, give it a little dunk in the borax water, and it should firm up. Squish the ball between your hands and roll it into shape. The more you handle the mixture, the firmer it will become.
Your homemade plastic bouncing ball is now ready! You can store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out and cracking.
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The elasticity of the material determines how well it bounces
The elasticity of a material is its ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed. This property is essential in determining how well an object bounces. When a ball hits a hard surface, it changes shape, usually flattening or deforming. The elasticity of the material allows it to regain its original shape, causing it to bounce back up in the opposite direction of its fall.
Materials with high elasticity, like rubber, are excellent for bouncing. They can stretch and then quickly and easily return to their original form. This elasticity gives them the ability to store and release energy, resulting in a good bounce. On the other hand, materials with low elasticity may not bounce at all or may only bounce minimally.
The bounciness of an object also depends on the surface it is dropped on. For example, helium-filled balloons fall with the same acceleration as rocks in a vacuum, but in the presence of air, they experience air resistance, affecting their bounce. Similarly, the type of floor can impact the bounce of a ball.
The composition of the ball itself can be altered to change its bounciness. For instance, the amount of water in a plastic ball affects its translucence and likely its elasticity and bounciness. Additionally, the ratio of ingredients in a polymer ball, such as glue, cornstarch, and borax, can be adjusted to make the ball stretchier or goopier, thereby influencing its bounce characteristics.
In conclusion, the elasticity of a material is a critical factor in determining how well it bounces. Materials with high elasticity, like rubber, excel at bouncing due to their ability to quickly return to their original shape. The bounciness of an object is also influenced by other factors, such as the surface it interacts with and its internal composition. Understanding the role of elasticity in bouncing allows for the creation of toys and devices that utilize this property, like bouncy balls and trampolines, providing entertainment and facilitating various activities.
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Rubber is a very elastic material and therefore bounces easily
The elasticity of a material is a crucial factor in determining its ability to bounce. Elasticity refers to the property of a material to stretch and then return to its original shape. Materials that can quickly and easily revert to their original shape after being stretched are considered highly elastic.
Rubber is a highly elastic material, which means it can be stretched and deformed, and then quickly return to its original shape. This elasticity gives rubber its characteristic bounciness. When a rubber ball hits a hard surface, it flattens or deforms, but due to its elastic properties, it quickly returns to its original shape, causing it to bounce off the surface with force.
The ability of rubber to bounce easily can be attributed to its unique molecular structure. Rubber is made up of long chain-like molecules called polymers, which are composed of repeating units of smaller molecules. These long polymer chains are able to stretch and flex, allowing the material to deform when impacted. However, the chemical bonds within the polymer chains also provide a strong recoiling force, pulling the chains back to their original configuration and causing the rubber to snap back into shape.
The bounciness of a rubber ball is influenced by various factors, including the type of rubber used, the inflation level, and the surface it is bounced on. Different types of rubber have varying degrees of elasticity, affecting their bounciness. Additionally, the amount of air inside a rubber ball can impact its ability to bounce. A properly inflated ball will have the right balance of air pressure and surface tension, allowing for optimal energy transfer during impact, resulting in a higher bounce.
It's worth noting that while rubber is known for its bouncing properties, other materials can also be used to create bouncing objects. For example, plastic and polymer balls are commonly used for play and experimentation. These plastic balls can be made at home by mixing ingredients such as glue, cornstarch, and borax, and their bounciness can be adjusted by altering the ratios of these ingredients. Additionally, the Waboba ball is a unique example of a ball that is designed to bounce on water, showcasing the versatility of materials in creating bouncing objects.
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The bounciness of a ball depends on the material it is made of and the floor it bounces on
The bounciness of a ball depends on several factors, including the material it is made of and the surface it bounces on.
Balls are made from a variety of materials, such as rubber, plastic, polymers, and even treated leather. The elasticity of these materials is what allows the balls to bounce. Elasticity is the ability of a material to stretch and then return to its original shape. Materials like rubber are highly elastic, which is why rubber balls tend to bounce easily.
The chemical composition of these materials can also affect their bounciness. For example, the amount of water added to a polymer ball can increase its translucence, potentially impacting its bounce. Additionally, the ratio of ingredients used in creating a polymer ball, such as glue, cornstarch, and borax, can affect its elasticity and bounciness.
The surface on which a ball bounces also plays a significant role in its bounciness. Different surfaces, such as wood, carpet, grass, cement, or dirt, can affect the height of a ball's bounce. For instance, helium-filled balloons do not exhibit significant bouncing properties when dropped in the presence of air due to their inability to overcome air resistance. However, in a vacuum, these balloons should bounce just fine.
Furthermore, the shape of a ball can also influence its bounciness. When a ball hits a hard surface, its shape changes, tending to flatten or deform. This deformation can impact the energy transfer during the bounce, affecting the height and behaviour of the bounce.
Lastly, the inflation of a ball can also contribute to its bounciness. A well-inflated ball is more likely to exhibit better bounciness compared to an underinflated one.
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Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy from the 1970s and 1980s that could be blown into bubbles that could be gently manipulated
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a beloved toy from the 1970s and 1980s that brought joy and laughter to children worldwide. The toy consisted of a tube of viscous plastic substance and a thin straw. Children would squeeze out a pea-sized amount of the liquid plastic and shape it into a ball. They would then insert one end of the straw into the ball and blow into the other end, inflating the plastic into a colourful bubble. These bubbles were much more durable than soap bubbles and could be gently manipulated to create different shapes and figures.
The creation of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic can be traced back to the early 1970s, when chemist Peter Hodgson combined polyvinyl acetate and a plasticizer. This resulted in a pliable, elastic substance that could be inflated into bubbles. The manufacturer, Wham-O, released the toy to the market, and it quickly captured the imagination of children. Its simplicity, affordability, and captivating bubble-blowing capabilities made it an instant hit.
However, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic also faced challenges. There were safety concerns surrounding the ingredients used in its production, particularly the noxious fumes emitted by the liquid plastic. These fumes could become concentrated inside the straw, posing a danger to children inhaling while blowing bubbles. As awareness grew about the potential health risks, parents became increasingly wary of allowing their children to play with the toy. Additionally, there were environmental concerns regarding the disposal of the plastic tubes and leftover material.
Despite these issues, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic has left a lasting impact on those who grew up during its era. Nostalgic memories of chasing bubbles in backyards or competing to blow the biggest bubble remain cherished symbols of carefree childhood days. Its popularity and cultural significance earned it a place in the hearts of many, even after it faded from the market.
Today, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic is remembered as a toy that sparked creativity and provided endless entertainment for children of all ages. Its rise and eventual discontinuation reflect the evolving landscape of toy design, safety standards, and societal preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic that bounces is called a polymer.
Polymers are made up of molecules that are composed of repeating chemical units. The best materials for bouncing are those that can stretch and then quickly return to their original shape. This is known as elasticity.
Rubber is another material that bounces due to its elasticity. Helium-filled balloons can also bounce, but this depends on the surface they are bouncing on.
