Making A Rubber Ball from Latex
Description: Liquid latex is made of very small globules of polymer hydrocarbons suspended in water. A small amount of dilute acid is added to the latex, neutralizing the ammonia which is added as a stabilizer. The irregular shaped globules join together in a random network to form rubber.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Latex, Polymer hydrocarbons, Rubber, Ammonia
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Allergenic hazard for latex
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Irritation hazard – inhalation
- Corrosive to metals
Effectiveness: Average
- Somewhat connected to course material
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Results are observable with guidance
- Contrast between states is noticeable
- Time to results is medium
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
- Use of mildly reactive substances
- Some simple manipulations required
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection and gloves required
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Do not perform with latex allergies
Class: Organic Chemistry, Entropy and Free Energy
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
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