Analyse Data on Stretching Elastic Materials

Elastic bands are very useful. 

We can use their stretchy properties to keep objects such as important files together.

All materials that can stretch, such as elastic bands, metal springs, shopping bags, and even your muscles, have a maximum limit which they cannot stretch beyond.

Sometimes if we add too much weight to a stretchy material, such as an elastic band, a spring or a shopping bag, it can snap and break.

Many people get confused when they talk about weight.

Think about what happens when you step onto the bathroom scales; we often say that we are weighing ourselves.

Unfortunately this statement is not scientifically correct. The number we have just obtained is our mass, not our weight.

The reason why is because weight is a force and should be measured in Newtons (N) not kilograms (or pounds or stones).

To convert mass (in kilograms) into Newtons you need to multiply mass by 10.

In this activity, you will get the chance to find out more about mass and weight, and test an elastic band to its limits!