Happy/Sad Balls
Description: Two identical balls are dropped on the floor. One ball (neoprene) bounces, and the other ball (polynorbornene) does not bounce.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education – Vol. 67
Year: 1990 Vol: 67 Page: 198
Keywords: Polynorbornene, Neoprene, Chloroprene, Balls, Elasticity, Friction
Rating: 
Hazard: Low
- Choking hazard
- Flammable solids
- Aquatic toxicity
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Low failure rate
- Time to results is low
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Low
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Simple procedures
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Latex rubber in use
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Organic Chemistry, Liquids and Solids
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
Return to Organic Chemistry Demonstrations