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.



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