Hi I'm a chemist, my current work is with PFAS compounds, often known as forever chemicals. Please ask me about those, or anything else you are curious about related to chemistry. I will try to give you a solid response.

  • join_the_iww [he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    rubber bands are actually one big molecule which is why it doesnt melt and will just burn if heated

    I already knew this, but I'm gonna take this opportunity to ask something that's been bothering me about it for a while:

    If a rubber band is one big molecule, then what's going on chemically when a rubber band gets stretched too far & snaps?

    • ZoomeristLeninist [comrade/them, she/her]M
      ·
      2 years ago

      good question.

      when you stretch the rubber band you are increasing the energy of the system. with enough stretching the molecule has enough energy for the chemical bonds to spontaneously cleave. you will still have one molecule but if you break it in two places you get two molecules!

      • ZoomeristLeninist [comrade/them, she/her]M
        ·
        2 years ago

        good question.

        when you stretch the rubber band you are increasing the energy of the system. with enough stretching the molecule has enough energy for the chemical bonds to spontaneously cleave. you will still have one molecule but if you break it in two places you get two molecules!