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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > November  >
Chemical Education Today
Classroom Activity Connections
"Having a Ball with Chemistry": More Things to Try
Thomas S. Kuntzleman, David Sellers, and Rachel Hoffmeyer
Department of Chemistry, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI 49283
Cover
November 2008
Vol. 85 No. 11
p. 1478

Abstract
A short outreach activity is described in which students test the rebound properties of superballs, racquetballs, "happy" balls and "sad balls" at many temperatures. After conducting the experiment, students use the test results to estimate the glass transition temperature of the elastic polymer that comprises each ball. The activity is used to segue into the classic demonstration of dipping a racquetball in liquid nitrogen and watching it shatter when thrown against a hard surface. In addition, students are encouraged to relate the results of the experiment to the importance of warming up muscles before exercise.
More Information
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Citation
Kuntzleman, Thomas S.; Sellers, David; Hoffmeyer, Rachel. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 1478.
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Keywords
Demonstrations; Elementary / Middle School Science; General Public; Polymer Chemistry; Public Understanding / Outreach
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
9/19/2008
9/24/2008
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > November  > Page 1478



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