Wooot!! FInished the SRP 2 days ago. Anyways thought it would be fitting to say a last goodbye to the SRP!!
R.I.P SRP
*THanks for reading this blog*
----------END-----------
17 June, 2010
15 June, 2010
hi again
yo, finished my discussion :D very happy...doesn't mean other stuff though...:(
WOw, i just realised, i broke 90 rubber bands doing these experiments! Worth it though.
WOw, i just realised, i broke 90 rubber bands doing these experiments! Worth it though.
14 June, 2010
Sunday/ Monday
Hi again, this is an update on my progress. Have just completed the method and results, nah actually did that yesterday. Today, i started the discussion and drew a graph...ENJOY!
12 June, 2010
Progress
Yay! Today i have completed the introduction of the report, took pretty much all day but at least it's done. However, i think it's a little too long but it should fit i hope!!!
09 June, 2010
Start already...
Time goes by so fast when you're having fun right? Hmm, need help on citing, is gunna be pretty bothersome citing every line...that is what you do right? Sigh...
Nways, time to borrow boooks!
Nways, time to borrow boooks!
03 June, 2010
Oh no...
I've rechecked my last results and i have made a terrible mistake! Luckily it's correctable and it doesn't mean i have to entirely do my experiment again. It turns out that my calculation of the total of the 'AT ROOM TEMPERATURE 20-C' column was incorrect, thus affecting the average and the Newtons.
The average of Newtons should have been 32.86 N as opposed to 28.922 N.
Here is the redone first table of results:
Sorry for the inconvieniance :(
The average of Newtons should have been 32.86 N as opposed to 28.922 N.
Here is the redone first table of results:
Sorry for the inconvieniance :(
2nd time round
Hi! I've been winding down since the last blog submission but 'BAM!' theres more! So i have decided to do the experiment once again in much the same way as last time. Here are the results:
11 May, 2010
Aim and hypothesis
Not really sure if this is necessary because last time i heard it was just the method required...
anyways, here it is (By the way, this is meant to go before my method shown in previous posts)
Aim: To investigate whether temperature will have an effect on the load a rubber band can carry before rupture.
Hypothesis: Rubber bands heated above room temperature will be more elastic than rubber bands heated at or below room temperature.
For variables, see the post somewhere down there :)
anyways, here it is (By the way, this is meant to go before my method shown in previous posts)
Aim: To investigate whether temperature will have an effect on the load a rubber band can carry before rupture.
Hypothesis: Rubber bands heated above room temperature will be more elastic than rubber bands heated at or below room temperature.
For variables, see the post somewhere down there :)
28 April, 2010
Results
Hi again, i recently did my experiment on the weekend. I realise the hand looks freaky but i cut myself out of the picture... also, the method was used from the previous post.
Needless to say, i wore quite a lot of protective gear (long sleeved jumper, safety goggles) because it was pretty scary about putting your face and hands so close to a 'to-be-ruptured' rubber band. We all know it hurts. I didn't wear gloves though as it may interfere with the accuracy of the experiment.
Here are the results:
NB: Sorry you have to squint
All the measurements taken above are read and done by hand. The average is converted from kilograms to Newtons by using a formula: kilograms*9.8m/s/s= Newtons.
Needless to say, i wore quite a lot of protective gear (long sleeved jumper, safety goggles) because it was pretty scary about putting your face and hands so close to a 'to-be-ruptured' rubber band. We all know it hurts. I didn't wear gloves though as it may interfere with the accuracy of the experiment.
Here are the results:NB: Sorry you have to squint
All the measurements taken above are read and done by hand. The average is converted from kilograms to Newtons by using a formula: kilograms*9.8m/s/s= Newtons.
21 April, 2010
13 April, 2010
More about the experiment
Hopefully by detailing the wording of the experiment, my experiment will be easier to understand.
'DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT THE FORCE A RUBBER BAND CAN WITHSTAND BEFORE RUPTURE?'
Temperature is defined as the hotness or coldness of a body or environment. Temperature can be meausred using either Celcius, Fahrenheit of the Kelvin Scale. In my experiment, i'll be using (degrees) Celcius.
Elasticity is the tendancy of a material to return to its original shape after a load has been exerted on it. In my experiment however, i will be meausuring the load the rubber band can take before rupture by using a spring scale a.k.a. Newton Meter.
Sourced: wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, elasticity, Date accessed[11 April, 2010]
A spring scale measures the tension force applied to the object. Ultimately, a spring scale and a newton meter is the same thing; the spring scale meausures in kilograms (kg), whilst a newton meter measures in Newtons (N). If you multiply kilograms by 9.8m/s/s (metres squared and acceleration due to gravity) it will convert the amount of kilograms to Newtons.
'DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT THE FORCE A RUBBER BAND CAN WITHSTAND BEFORE RUPTURE?'
Temperature is defined as the hotness or coldness of a body or environment. Temperature can be meausred using either Celcius, Fahrenheit of the Kelvin Scale. In my experiment, i'll be using (degrees) Celcius.
Elasticity is the tendancy of a material to return to its original shape after a load has been exerted on it. In my experiment however, i will be meausuring the load the rubber band can take before rupture by using a spring scale a.k.a. Newton Meter.
Sourced: wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, elasticity, Date accessed[11 April, 2010]
A spring scale measures the tension force applied to the object. Ultimately, a spring scale and a newton meter is the same thing; the spring scale meausures in kilograms (kg), whilst a newton meter measures in Newtons (N). If you multiply kilograms by 9.8m/s/s (metres squared and acceleration due to gravity) it will convert the amount of kilograms to Newtons.
Long awaited method
This is the 'refined' method which will hopefully meet all the requirements...
* During the research, I found that rubber bands were classified with a size number according to the thickness, length and width of the rubber band. In my experiment, I will be using size 16 rubber bands.
* During the research, I found that rubber bands were classified with a size number according to the thickness, length and width of the rubber band. In my experiment, I will be using size 16 rubber bands.
Equipment
Picture 1- Size 16 Rubber bands
Picture 2- Safety goggles
Picture 2- Safety goggles
Picture 3- Spring balance hanging from hook
- 1 pack Esselte Superior Rubber Bands- Size Number 16x 45*
- Safety goggles
- gloves(optional)
- Oven
- Freezer
- Spring scale
Method (2):
1) Put on safety goggles and gloves.
2) Hang a spring scale from a secure hook as shown in picture 3.
3) Take 45x Size No.16 Rubber bands and sort them into 3 piles of 15 rubber bands each.
4) Place the first group of 15x rubber bands in the freezer at 0 degrees Celcius for 2 hours.
5) Take the rubber bands out of the freezer and immediately place a frozen rubber band onto the spring scale as shown in picture 3. Pull downwards on the rubber band.
6) Record the measurement on the scale (amount of grams exerted on the rubber band) just before the rubber band ruptures.
7) Repeat steps 3)-6), instead using the second group of 15x rubber bands at room temperature (20 degrees Celcius)left for 2 hours.
8) Repeat steps 3)-6)instead using the third group of 15x rubber bands heated in an oven at 70 degrees Celcius for 2 hours.
8) Record and tabulate results.
09 April, 2010
How can this experiment help?
By being able to come to a conclusion about whether or not a rubber band's elasticity/ strength/ durability is affected by temperature, rubber can be maufactured according to this finding in a way that is perhaps more sustainable to the environment and to consumers.
Understanding the relationship between various substances e.g. rubber and sulfur, may provide building blocks to producing one artificial type of rubber capable of being used for a range of purposes (there are a lot of types of rubber now, sorted according to use), thus cutting down cost and need for resources to manufacture the current types of rubber.
ALthough it seems as if rubber has already come so far and there is no need or chance that rubber's properties can be further refined, rubber still has the potential to further develop. Rubber can be found almost anywhere, at home, on a plane, in your shoes...
Who knows what rubber will be used for in the future?
Source:
- Middendorf, W.H. (1981), What every Engineer should know about Inventing, Marcel Dekker, New York.
Understanding the relationship between various substances e.g. rubber and sulfur, may provide building blocks to producing one artificial type of rubber capable of being used for a range of purposes (there are a lot of types of rubber now, sorted according to use), thus cutting down cost and need for resources to manufacture the current types of rubber.
ALthough it seems as if rubber has already come so far and there is no need or chance that rubber's properties can be further refined, rubber still has the potential to further develop. Rubber can be found almost anywhere, at home, on a plane, in your shoes...
Who knows what rubber will be used for in the future?
Source:
- Middendorf, W.H. (1981), What every Engineer should know about Inventing, Marcel Dekker, New York.
Some uses of rubber bands
Some may be obvious, some not so obvious...
- Braces elastics (helps manoevure teeth to fit the jawline):
pretty yuck...
- Hair elastics (elastics found in hairpieces):
- Pants (Need more room? Just loop a rubber band through a hole in your pants and fasten it to a button)
- Car tyres (ok, they don't have rubber bands in them, but they have rubber..:D)
- Newspapers, tying flowers in bunches:
- and much, much more...
- Braces elastics (helps manoevure teeth to fit the jawline):
pretty yuck...
- Hair elastics (elastics found in hairpieces):
- Pants (Need more room? Just loop a rubber band through a hole in your pants and fasten it to a button)
- Car tyres (ok, they don't have rubber bands in them, but they have rubber..:D)
- Newspapers, tying flowers in bunches:
- and much, much more...
03 April, 2010
why do rubber bands break?
As you know, when you stretch a rubber band too much, it suddenly snaps. A rubber band, although it may not seem so, is not exactly the same thickness or width all the way around the loop. Therefore, it is important to note that rupture of the rubber band will break at it's weakest point or the point where pressure is most directly exerted.
When an object such as rubber is stretched, stress is put upon the object, resulting in 'microtears' along the stretched part. THis is why when you strech a rubber band, there are very small 'wrinkly' lines in the band. The more stress is exerted, the more likely the rubber band will break. Eventually the rubber band will break.
TO
When an object such as rubber is stretched, stress is put upon the object, resulting in 'microtears' along the stretched part. THis is why when you strech a rubber band, there are very small 'wrinkly' lines in the band. The more stress is exerted, the more likely the rubber band will break. Eventually the rubber band will break.
TO
Intro (2)- BAckground research on Rubber
Taking off from before...
It was only an accident when Charles Goodyear (yes, the person who made the tyres on your car) mixed sulfur, lead and rubber on a hot surface that the formerly- natural rubber acquired a more usable consistency and texture. Goodyear dubbed this process 'vulcanization'. Vulcanization can be defined as the process of treating rubber with sulfur with a high heat using sulfur/ other 'curatives' to improve elasticity, strength and/or durability of the rubber.
Today, most of the rubber in this world is used for commercial/ domestic purposes and is produced synthetically. There are about 20 types of synthetic rubber, all classified according to their intended use and thus, their quality, and only one type of natural rubber.
Rubber bands are simply short lenghts of rubber, calcium carbonate, carbon black, clay, sulfur, stearic acid, zinc oxide, wax and oil formed into a loop (mentioned in previously in another post). These ingredients are put into a tube and mixed in a pressurized steam tank through the process of 'vulcanization'. When this is done, the tube is cut into rings to form the rubber bands that we know.
References:
It was only an accident when Charles Goodyear (yes, the person who made the tyres on your car) mixed sulfur, lead and rubber on a hot surface that the formerly- natural rubber acquired a more usable consistency and texture. Goodyear dubbed this process 'vulcanization'. Vulcanization can be defined as the process of treating rubber with sulfur with a high heat using sulfur/ other 'curatives' to improve elasticity, strength and/or durability of the rubber.
Today, most of the rubber in this world is used for commercial/ domestic purposes and is produced synthetically. There are about 20 types of synthetic rubber, all classified according to their intended use and thus, their quality, and only one type of natural rubber.
Rubber bands are simply short lenghts of rubber, calcium carbonate, carbon black, clay, sulfur, stearic acid, zinc oxide, wax and oil formed into a loop (mentioned in previously in another post). These ingredients are put into a tube and mixed in a pressurized steam tank through the process of 'vulcanization'. When this is done, the tube is cut into rings to form the rubber bands that we know.
References:
- http://science.jrank.org/pages/7266/Vulcanization.html, vulcanization- rubber as a natural product, Date accessed [30th March 2010]
- Mark,J.E., Erman B. and Eirich F.R. (1994), Science and Technology of Rubber: 2nd edition, Academic Press Limited, London
- http://www.essortment.com/all/historyofrubbe_rcml.htm, history and development of rubber, Date accessed [30th March 2010]
- http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/rubber-band, history and development of rubber bands, Date accessed [31st March 2010].
Introduction (1)- Background about Rubber
Before the process of curing/ vulcanizing rubber was discovered, rubber was a product with much potential to be improved as it was extremely unreliable and temperamental according to the weather i.e. when it was humid, the rubber would 'follow' and turn warm and sticky, when it was cold, the 'unvulcanized' rubber would turn soft and fragile. This made the rubber unreliable for practical use.
Rubber originally and nuturally derives from plants which grow in the equitorial regions of the globe, particulary East Asia. It was initially used by the Mayans (for who knows how long) by extracting latex found in tree sap of rubber trees and combining it with the liquids of a nearby vine, resulting in a black substance with basic waterproofing qualities.
Since the mid 1700s when CHristopher Columbus discovered the Mayan's incredulous invention and introduced it to other 'developed' countries such as Europe and America, there has been many attempts to develope the natural rubber until it could hold it's shape and be sutiable for commercial use.
To be continued...
Rubber originally and nuturally derives from plants which grow in the equitorial regions of the globe, particulary East Asia. It was initially used by the Mayans (for who knows how long) by extracting latex found in tree sap of rubber trees and combining it with the liquids of a nearby vine, resulting in a black substance with basic waterproofing qualities.
Since the mid 1700s when CHristopher Columbus discovered the Mayan's incredulous invention and introduced it to other 'developed' countries such as Europe and America, there has been many attempts to develope the natural rubber until it could hold it's shape and be sutiable for commercial use.
To be continued...
31 March, 2010
waiting
well hi there,
i still haven't gotten miss Zhang's approval yet so i'm just going to type this to fiill in some space. Actually, i'm not being that pointless, but until official approval from the 'one above' is handed down, i'll keep the research on rubber bands etc. until next time.
By the way, is it just me or is everything so ambiguous...
i still haven't gotten miss Zhang's approval yet so i'm just going to type this to fiill in some space. Actually, i'm not being that pointless, but until official approval from the 'one above' is handed down, i'll keep the research on rubber bands etc. until next time.
By the way, is it just me or is everything so ambiguous...
10 March, 2010
EVERYTHING
VARiables/ Research ETc. etc. etc. Hello again! AS i have previously mentioned before, i am doing my experiment on-
'DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT THE FORCE A RUBBER BAND CAN WITHSTAND BEFORE RUPTURE?'
The variables are:
INDEPENDANT VARIABLE: Temperature
DEPENDANT VARIABLE: Elasticity of a rubber band (The force the rubber band can withstand before it breaks)
CONTROLLED VARIABLES: Size of the rubber band, brand of rubber band, spring scale used, same fridge and oven.
EQUIPMENT NECESSARY (MAY CHANGE LATER) - spring scale -protective gloves (optional) - pack of rubber bands -same oven and fridge - safety goggles
METHOD (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
1) Hang the spring balance from a secure post vertically.
2) Heat 15 of the same type of rubber band in the oven at 70 degrees celcius for 2 hours.
3) Take the rubber bands out of the oven and pull on spring scale with rubber band. Record results (force exerted before rupture of elastic band in a table).
4) Repeat steps 1-3, instead using 15x rubber bands at room temperature left for 2 hours, and 15x rubber bands at 0 degrees celcius for 2 hours.
5) Record and tabulate results.
For my other project ideas:
- does the design of a bridge affect the weight it can carry?
INDEPENDANT VARIABLE: Design of bridge
DEPENDANT VARIABLE: weight it can support/ carry
CONTOLLED VARIABLES: Material the bridges are made of, the length and size of the bridges, same weights used
-Does fertiliser actually affect the rate of plant growth?
INDEPENDANT VARIABLE: type of fertiliser
DEPENDANT VARIABLE: rate of plant growth
CONTROLLED VARIABLES: plant type, position and location of the plants, water and amount of fertiliser gaiven to each plant
Rubber band research
RUBBER BAND RESEARCH:
I found that rubber bands are short loops of rubber and latex, calcium carbonate, carbon black, clay, sulfur, stearic acid, zinc oxide, wax and oil. The rubber band can be classified into classes according to its- length, width and thickness.
The rubber band is made with the ingredients above through a process called 'vulcanization.' I shall conduct further research on the process of vulcanization later on.
An important note i found is that ELASTICITY (defined as the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed) is different to stretching the rubber band till it breaks and meausuring the force exerted on the rubber band just before it breaks. I think the correct term is rupture, that is, where an object suddenly breaks, but confirmation would be grealty appreciated... Miss Zhang...
As a result of this finding, i have decided to change my experiment aim to:
Bibliography/ sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_band, what are rubber bands made of?, Date accessed[6/03/10] (research was conducted before posting)
-taken from wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, elasticity, DAte accessed [10/03/10]
I found that rubber bands are short loops of rubber and latex, calcium carbonate, carbon black, clay, sulfur, stearic acid, zinc oxide, wax and oil. The rubber band can be classified into classes according to its- length, width and thickness.
The rubber band is made with the ingredients above through a process called 'vulcanization.' I shall conduct further research on the process of vulcanization later on.
An important note i found is that ELASTICITY (defined as the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed) is different to stretching the rubber band till it breaks and meausuring the force exerted on the rubber band just before it breaks. I think the correct term is rupture, that is, where an object suddenly breaks, but confirmation would be grealty appreciated... Miss Zhang...
As a result of this finding, i have decided to change my experiment aim to:
Does temperature affect the force that a rubber band can withstand before rupture?
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_band, what are rubber bands made of?, Date accessed[6/03/10] (research was conducted before posting)
-taken from wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn, elasticity, DAte accessed [10/03/10]
26 February, 2010
BINGO!
to everyone who actually reads this:
after careful consideration, i have come to the conclusion that my SRP will be on:
after careful consideration, i have come to the conclusion that my SRP will be on:
' Does temperature affect the elasticity of a rubber band?'
it's a experiment which i find fairly interesting and do-able but just case this falls apart, i have come up with a few other ideas:
- does design of bridges affect the weight it can carry
- do plants grow in accoradance with gravity
- does fertiliser actually affect rate of plant growth
these however are all pretty boring and/or complex (to me) and i hope to start researching rubber bands real soon....
16 February, 2010
Brainstorming
Hi again! I've been brainstorming what my brilliant experiment should be on... but so far there have only been many questions as to how i'm going to actually do the experiment :( . I've been thinking... maybe something to do with whether bridge designs influence how much weight it can carry. Or maybe something to do with plants, but that sounds cliche. Don't you agree? Hmm... but that can be my backup plan i guess.
Golly! This is harder than it seems.
Golly! This is harder than it seems.
01 February, 2010
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