Topic Overview
------------------------------------------------------
Rubber bands for energy
Rubber bands for energy
Time Required
|
Very Short (≤ 1 day)
|
Prerequisites
|
None
|
Material Availability
|
Readily available
|
Cost
|
Very Low (under $20)
|
Safety
|
No issues
|
Abstract
If you've ever been shot with a rubber band then you know it has energy in it, enough energy to smack you in the arm and cause a sting! How can the energy of a rubber band be put to work? In this experiment you will find out how the stretching of a rubber band affects the amount of energy that springs out of it.
Objective
In this experiment you will investigate how the distance of stretch in a rubber band at rest relates to the distance the rubber band travels after being released.
Credits
Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies
Hypothesis and Variables
------------------------------------------------------
Hypothesis:
The longer a rubber band is stretched at rest, the further it will travel when released.
Dependent variable:
+ The distance the rubber band travels
Independent variable:
+ The distance of stretch in a rubber band
Constant:
+ The type of rubber band used
The longer a rubber band is stretched at rest, the further it will travel when released.
Dependent variable:
+ The distance the rubber band travels
Independent variable:
+ The distance of stretch in a rubber band
Constant:
+ The type of rubber band used
Research Questions
------------------------------------------------------
1. Where does the rubber band get the energy from?
2. What does the energy do?
3. Is there a maximum that the rubber band can be stretched?
4. How will the experiment be carried out?
5. Are there any current research about the same topic going on?
6. What equipment do you need?
2. What does the energy do?
3. Is there a maximum that the rubber band can be stretched?
4. How will the experiment be carried out?
5. Are there any current research about the same topic going on?
6. What equipment do you need?