Energy is a great subject in science. It covers so many things and I have many other aspects that I hope to share with you soon but one thing that explains energy so well is a simple rubber band; it can demonstrate elasticity, kinetic energy and potential energy and it great to use in some really cool experiments. Here are just a few short facts on the topic.
What is Elasticity?
Elasticity is the ability of an object to return to its original size and shape after it has been stretched or squeezed.
When we pull an elastic object we are applying a force on it called a stress. If we apply too much stress to an object it will eventually reach a limit called its elastic limit.
When an object is pulled beyond its elastic limit is cannot return to its original shape.
All objects will eventually lose their elasticity due to wear and tear, friction and stress.
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Potential energy is energy stored within something. Kinetic energy is energy in motion.
If we take the example of stretching a rubber band…
When we use force to stretch an elastic object, such as an elastic band we are filling it with potential energy. When we let go of the rubber band and it springs back to its original shape, the energy released is Kinetic Energy.
Did you know… kangaroos and other animals use the combination of potential and kinetic energy to save energy while jumping and springing?
Rubber is a material that has very good elasticity. It is a polymer, made up of a long chain of repeating molecules, that can be easily stretched and bent.
Rubber exists in both a natural and synthetic form; the natural form is latex from the sap of rubber trees.
A bit of history
The ancient Aztec and Mayan civilisations are thought to have been the first to discover and use this natural rubber. They used it to make balls for sport and rubber shoes, although the quality of this rubber was sensitive to heat and cold.
Columbus is credited with bringing rubber to Europe.
In 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered that he could stabilise rubber by mixing it with sulphur at high pressure; he called this process vulcanisation.
When Goodyear died in 1860 he was completely impoverished due to constant legal costs regarding his rubber patents.
Did you know… the largest rubber band ball ever made weighed 4,097kg and was made using 700,000 rubber bands?
An experiment to try
Want to try an experiment that combines rubber, elasticity and kinetic and potential energy? Why not make a catapult? Or use elasticity to launch a paper plane. You’ll find out how, and a lot more of the science behind these experiments in this post!
A new venture
This article originally appeared in Science Spin magazine. Although the magazine is no longer in print I am delighted to be sharing some science facts and experiments in a new venture… you’ll find my new SCIENCE FOR KIDS page in each edition of Easy Parenting Magazine. I share one of our favourite experiments in the April/May edition, currently in shops. Take a look…
Nishati ni somo kubwa katika sayansi. "Kama ni kweli, kuna mambo mengi ambayo nina matumaini ya kushiriki na wewe hivi karibuni, lakini kitu kimoja ambacho kinaelezea nishati vizuri sana ni bendi rahisi ya mpira; inaweza kuonyesha elasticity, kinetic energy na potential energy na ni nzuri kutumia katika baadhi ya majaribio ya kweli. """ Hapa kuna mambo machache mafupi kuhusu jambo hilo. Elasticity ni nini? Elasticity ni uwezo wa kitu kurudi kwa ukubwa wake wa awali na umbo baada ya kuwa kunyoosha au squeezed. Tunapovuta kitu chenye nguvu tunatumia nguvu inayoitwa mkazo. Ikiwa tutatumia mkazo mwingi sana kwa kitu hatimaye kitafikia kikomo kinachoitwa kikomo chake cha elastic. Wakati kitu ni kuvutwa zaidi ya kikomo chake elastic ni hawezi kurudi kwa sura yake ya awali. Vitu vyote hatimaye vitapoteza elasticity yao kutokana na kuvaa na machozi, msuguano na mkazo. Nishati ya uwezekano na kinetic Nishati ya uwezekano ni nishati iliyohifadhiwa ndani ya kitu. Nishati ya kinetic ni nishati katika mwendo. Kama tunachukua mfano wa kunyoosha bendi ya mpira, tunapotumia nguvu kunyoosha kitu cha elastic, kama vile bendi ya elastic, tunamjaza na nishati ya uwezekano. Wakati sisi kuondoka kutoka bendi ya mpira na springs nyuma kwa sura yake ya awali, nishati iliyotolewa ni nishati kinetic. Je, unajua... kangaroo na wanyama wengine kutumia mchanganyiko wa uwezo na nishati kinetic kuokoa nishati wakati kuruka na springing? Rubber ni nyenzo ambayo ina elasticity nzuri sana. Ni polima, iliyofanyizwa na mlolongo mrefu wa molekuli zinazorudiwa-rudiwa, ambazo zaweza kunyooshwa na kukunjwa kwa urahisi. Rubber inapatikana katika aina ya asili na ya bandia; aina ya asili ni latex inayotokana na maji ya miti ya mpira. Utamaduni wa kale wa Aztec na Maya ndio uliotumiwa na watu wengi katika historia ya karatasi. Kwa mfano, mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira. Columbus anasifiwa kwa kuleta mpira Ulaya. Charles Goodyear aliweza kuimarisha mpira kwa kuunganisha na sulfuri kwa shinikizo la juu, na kuifanya kuwa vulcanized. Goodyear alikufa mwaka 1860 akiwa na miaka kumi na tisa na nusu tu, na alikuwa ameharibika sana kutokana na gharama za kisheria za kutengeneza bidhaa zake za mpira. """Kipande cha mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira wa mpira." Kwa mfano, unaweza kujaribu kutumia rubber, elasticity, kinetic na potential energy. Kwa nini tusitengeneze mtumbwi? Au kutumia elasticity kuzindua ndege karatasi. Utapata jinsi, na mengi zaidi ya sayansi nyuma ya majaribio haya katika chapisho hili! Makala hii ilichapishwa awali katika gazeti la Science Spin. Ingawa jarida hilo halichapishwi tena ninafurahi kushiriki baadhi ya ukweli wa kisayansi na majaribio katika mradi mpya... utapata ukurasa wangu mpya wa SCIENCE FOR KIDS katika kila toleo la Easy Parenting Magazine. Nitajaribu kuunda moja ya majaribio ya kawaida ya Aprili na Mei, ambayo sasa inapatikana katika maduka. Angalia tu...