Science is Magic

85

H

O

W

F

A

R

W

IL

L^ I

T^ B

OUN

CE?

Remove the lump

of mixture from

the bowl. Then roll

it between your

hands until...

4

SCIENCE

PART...

THE

Rubber is an example of a polymer,

meaning it’s made of really long chains

of ball-like particles called atoms.

These polymer chains slip and slide around each other

thanks to a chemical called ammonia, which stops

them from sticking together. When you add vinegar

to liquid rubber, it reacts with the ammonia and stops

it from working. The polymers now stick together

and form a solid mass—your rubber ball!

...you’ve made your own

bouncy rubber ball!

5

RUBBER POLYMERS SLIPPING AND

SLIDING PAST EACH OTHER

RUBBER POLYMERS

STICKING TOGETHER

Ammonia stops

rubber polymers

sticking together.

Vinegar stops

the ammonia

from working.

US_084-085_Rubber_ball_cauldron.indd 85 12/09/2018 15:50