Polymers & Toy Balls Lab

Introduction
Which polymer will produce the best physical properties for
a toy ball, specifically bounciness?
Background:

When rubber becomes vulcanized,

sulfur atoms form bonds which
increase strength and make rubber
more elastic.
Latex is composed of about 60% water,
35% hydrocarbon monomers, 2%
proteins, sugars, and inorganic salts.
The polymer formed from ethanol and
sodium silicate has covalent bonds.

Hypothesis:
The polymer of the vulcanized rubber will produce
better results for bounciness. Therefore, it will be the
best material candidate for the production of a toy ball.

Methodology
Materials

Methodology (continued)
Procedure
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Put on safety googles, gloves, and an apron.

Fill an approximately 2 L tub half full with water.
Measure 10 mL of liquid latex in a clean 25 mL graduated cylinder, and pour the latex into a cup.
Clean the 25 mL graduated cylinder thoroughly and rinse it with water.
Measure 10 mL of water in the 25 mL graduated cylinder and pour it into the paper cup with latex.
Measure 10 mL of 5% acetic acid and pour it into the paper cup with latex and water.
Immediately stir the mixture with a wooden stick.
Continue stirring until a polymer "lump" forms at the end of the stick. Submerge the "lump" into the 2 L tub.
While wearing gloves, gently pull the "lump" from the end of the wooden stick, making sure that the "lump"
remains submerged.
Use your hands to mold the "lump" into a ball. Squeeze the ball several times to remove unused chemicals. You
may remove the ball from the water as you roll it in your hands to smooth the ball.
Set aside the latex-rubber ball and allow it to dry while you begin to make a ball from the ethanol and sodium
silicate.
Measure 12 mL of sodium silicate solution in a clean 25 mL graduated cylinder and pour it into the other paper
cup.
Measure 3 mL of 50% ethanol in a clean 10 mL graduated cylinder. Pour the ethanol into the paper cup with the
sodium silicate and mix with the wooden stick until a solid substance is formed.
While wearing gloves, remove the polymer that forms and place it in the palm of your hand. Gently press it with
your hands until a ball that does not crumble is formed. This process takes time and patience. The liquid that
comes out is a combination of ethanol and water. Occasionally moisten the ball with water from a faucet. When
the ball no longer crumbles, you are ready to go on to the next step.
Observe as many physical properties from the two balls and record your observations.

Data, Results, & Conclusion

Data
Sodium Silicate

Firm
White
Smooth surface
Very bouncy
Lightweight

Liquid Latex

Squishy
Pale yellow
Rough surface
Bouncy
Dense

Results
The sodium silicate ball was much more firm, smooth, and
lightweight. It was also white in color. The bounciness of the
sodium silicate ball almost caught us by surprise as it was
very bouncy.
The liquid latex ball was squishy, almost like a putty. It had a
more rough, uneven, rigid surface. It was bouncy and very
dense. The liquid latex ball was also pale yellow in color.

Conclusion
The hypothesis that the liquid latex ball would be the best candidate for the
production of a bouncy ball was incorrect. In fact, the sodium silicate ball was
much more ideal. The sodium silicate had impressive bounciness and an ideal
texture compared to the liquid latex ball. The white color may even make it
easier to produce color on balls if they were to go to production. In
conclusion, the sodium silicate ball was almost perfect for production of a
bouncy ball toy.