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{| class="wikitable"|+Rubber band sizes| Size| Length (in)| Width (in)| Thickness (in)| 10

1	4}}	1|16}}	1|32}}

| 12

1	4}}	1|16}}	1|32}}

| 14| 2

1|16}}	1|32}}

| 31

2	2}}	1|8}}	1|32}}

| 32| 3

1|8}}	1|32}}

| 33

3	2}}	1|8}}	1|32}}

| 61| 2

1|4}}	1|32}}

| 62

2	2}}	1|4}}	1|32}}

| 63| 3

1|4}}	1|32}}

| 64

3	2}}	1|4}}	1|32}}

| 117| 7

1|16}}	1|32}}

Thermodynamics

Temperature affects the elasticity of a rubber band in an unusual way. Heating causes the rubber band to contract and cooling causes expansion.{{Citation|title= Thermodynamics of a Rubber Band|journal=American Journal of Physics|date= May 1963|volume= 31|issue= 5|pages= 397last1=Brown|first1=J. B.|bibcode=1963AmJPh..31..397B}}Stretching a rubber band will cause it to release heat, while releasing it after it has been stretched will make it absorb heat, causing its surroundings to become a little cooler. This effect is due to the higher entropy of the unstressed state, which is more entangled and therefore has more states available. In other words, the ability to convert thermal energy into work while the rubber relaxes is allowed by the higher entropy of the relaxed state.The result is that a rubber band behaves somewhat like an ideal monatomic gas inasmuch as (to good approximation) that elastic polymers do not store any potential energy in stretched chemical bonds. No elastic work is done to "stretch" molecules when work is done upon these bulk polymers. Instead, all work done to the rubber is "released" (not stored) and appears immediately in the polymer as thermal energy. Conversely, when the polymer does work on the surroundings (such as contracting to lift an object) it converts thermal energy to work in the process and cools in the same manner as an ideal gas, expanding while doing work.

Red rubber bands

(File:Royal Mail band.jpg|190px|thumb|≈10 Royal Mail rubber bands, on a letter size guide.)In the UK during 2004, following complaints from the public about postal carriers creating litter by discarding the rubber bands which they used to keep their mail together, the Royal Mail introduced red bands for their workers to use: it was hoped that, as the bands were easier to spot than the traditional brown ones and since only the Royal Mail used them, employees would see (and feel compelled to pick up) any red bands which they had inadvertently dropped. As of 2006, some 342 million red bands were being used per year.NEWS,weblink The Times, Posties' red rubber bands stretch public's patience, Fran, Yeoman, January 21, 2006, The Royal Mail no longer uses red rubber bands as of about 2010. The exact date of the expunging of these is uncertain, presumably as different areas used up old stock at varying rates.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Rubber bands in orthodontics

Special rubber bands of medical-grade latex can be used (worn) for orthodontic correction of teeth position together with metal braces or clear aligners to apply additional pressure on the teeth being straightened.These rubber bands are manufactured in different sizes for use in the varying steps of Orthodontic treatment.WEB, 2019-12-15, Elastics For Braces: Rubber Bands in Orthodontics,weblink 2020-12-13, Orthodontics Australia, en-AU, They are often termed orthodontic elastics.

Ranger bands

(File:Ranger bands 01.jpg|thumb|Ranger bands made from moped inner tube){{anchor|Snoopy loop}}(File:Harnessfront3.jpg|thumb|British cave diving style sidemount harness showing snoopy loops used to stow hoses against the cylinders)This type of rubber band was popularized by use in the military. Ranger bands are essentially sections of tire inner tubing cut into various sizes. They have the advantage of being versatile, durable, and resistant to weather and abrasion. They are commonly used for lashings, and can also be used for makeshift handle grips, providing a strong high-friction surface with excellent shock absorption.WEB,weblink Ranger Bands (Rubber Bands on Steroids), instructables.com, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100628042444weblink">weblink 2010-06-28, Identical loops of inner tube are used by cavers and cave divers, and in that context are called snoopy loops by the British caving and cave diving community. When they get lost they are recognizable as a common form of litter.WEB,weblink Bristol exploration Club, Ten Go Caving In Sutherland, 1992, Peter Glanville, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071008075753weblink">weblink 2007-10-08, Snoopy loops are easily cut from discarded car and motorcycle inner tubes using a pair of scissors. A knife cut may leave a notched edge which can lead to tearing. Varying sizes of inner tube are used for different tasks. Uses in caving include sealing cuffs of oversuits and collars of boots against the ingress of water, holding kneepads and elbow pads in place or securing dive lines to small rocks.WEB,weblink Snoopy loops, Beyond the Blue, Martyn Farr, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070629160443weblink">weblink 2007-06-29, and have been used for first aid for strapping injured joints tightly in place.WEB,weblink 04-Aug-01: Hirlatz Hohle, Greg Brock, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070930082026weblink">weblink 2007-09-30, Technical divers use small snoopy loops made from bicycle inner tubes to prevent backup lights clipped to a dive harness from dangling, and larger loops cut from car tubes are used to stow hoses against sling or sidemount cylinders.The exact origin is unknown and has been subject to much speculation. The practice of using snoopy Loops has been claimed to have originated in Greece and spotted by Cave Diving Group members in the late 1970s. The practice was then propagated in Yorkshire Dales.WEB,weblink Why are Snoopy Loops called Snoopyloops?, ukcaving.com, 2017-10-25, live,weblink 2017-10-26, Another claim is that snoopy loops were named by Dave Morris, a Cave Diving Group caver who noticed how they 'snooped' around boulders. It was considered a ridiculous name at the time. None of these claims are particularly plausible as the use is obvious and is likely to have originated independently in several places at earlier dates.

Elastration

(File:Elastrator rings.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Latex rubber elastrator rings and pliers)In animal husbandry, rubber bands are used for docking and castration of livestock. The procedure involves banding the body part with a tight latex (rubber) band to restrict blood flow. As the blood flow diminishes, the cells within the gonads die and dehydrate. The part eventually drops off.

Model use

Rubber bands have long been one of the methods of powering small free-flight model aircraft, the rubber band being anchored at the rear of the fuselage and connected to the propeller at the front. To 'wind up' the 'engine', the propeller is repeatedly turned, twisting the rubber band. When the propeller has had enough turns, the propeller is released and the model launched, the rubber band then turning the propeller rapidly until it has unwound.One of the first to use this method was pioneer aerodynamicist George Cayley, who used rubber band-driven motors for powering his small experimental models. These 'rubber motors' have also been used for powering small model boats.

Balls

{{anchor|Ball|Rubber band ball|Rubber band balls}}(File:3000 rubber band ball.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A rubber band ball made from over 3,000 individual rubber bands.|A rubber band ball made from over 3,000 individual rubber bands.)A rubber band ball is a sphere of rubber bands made by using a knotted single band as a starting point and then wrapping rubber bands around the center until the desired size is achieved. The ball is usually made from 100% rubber bands, but some instructions call for using a marble,WEB,weblink How to Make a Rubber Band Ball, 2017-01-23, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170202023359weblink">weblink 2017-02-02, a crumpled piece of paper, or a ping-pong ballWEB,weblink How to Make a Rubber Band Ball, wikiHow, 2017-01-23, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170123044554weblink">weblink 2017-01-23, as a starting point.WEB,weblink What IS Rubber Bands Ball, 2017-01-23, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170202120146weblink">weblink 2017-02-02, WEB,weblink Frequently Asked Questions, Recordball.com, 2015-08-18, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130426083929weblink">weblink April 26, 2013,

Notable rubber band balls

(File:Miltonrubberbandball.jpg|thumb|Milton's former world record size ball)The world's largest rubber band ball as of November 19, 2008, was created by Joel Waul of Lauderhill, Florida. He is currently the World Record Holder according to the Guinness World Records."Largest Rubber Band Ball. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031600weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". GuinnessWorldRecords.com. Accessed: November 18, 2017. The ball, which previously sat under a tarp in Waul's driveway, weighs 9,032 pounds (4,097 kg), is more than {{convert|6|ft|7|in|abbr=on}} tall (which implies about a {{convert|20.68|feet}} circumference), and consists of more than 700,000 rubber bands. It set the world record on November 13, 2008, in Lauderhill, Florida.Damien Cave, "In Florida, Fond Farewell for a 5-Ton Ball of Rubber Bands. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201133108weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". New York Times (October 29, 2009). The ball is now owned by Ripley's Believe It or Not!."Rubber Band Ball. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042301weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". Ripleys.com (2009). Accessed: November 18, 2017.AP. "Man Makes Rubber Band Ball History. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033219weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". CBSNews.com (October 30, 2009). Accessed: November 18, 2017.Steve Milton of Eugene, Oregon, previously held the record for the biggest rubber band ball beginning in 2006. During the construction of his rubber band ball, he was sponsored by OfficeMax, who sent him rubber bands to use for his ball.O'Brien, Cory. "…Steve Milton has one large rubber band ball? at Didnt You Hear…". Didn'tYouHear.com (November 25, 2006). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108154213weblink |date=January 8, 2009 }} His ball was approximately 175,000 rubber bands, {{convert|5.479|feet}} tall (circumference: {{convert|18.996|feet}}), and weighed {{convert|2088.14|kg}}. He began building the ball, with help from his family, in November, 2005 and would store the ball in their garage."Rubber band ball sets record at 4,594 pounds. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033449weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". NBCNews.com/AP (11/22/2006). Accessed: November 18, 2017.Before Steve Milton, the record was held by John Bain of Wilmington, Delaware, beginning in 1998.Footman, Tim; ed. (2000/2001). Guinness World Records 2001, p. 252. Mint/Guinness World Records. {{ISBN|9781892051011}}/{{ISBN|9780851121024}}.Guinness World Records 2005, p. 104.Guinness World Records 2006. In 2003, his ball weighed around {{convert|3120|lb}}, consisting of over 850,000 rubber bands and is {{convert|1.52|m}} tall (circumference: {{convert|4.6|m}}). He put the ball up for auction in 2005,Williams, Chris. "Rubber band man comes to Chevy Chase auction. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030832weblink |date=2017-12-01 }}". Gazette.net. (Oct. 5, 2005). Accessed: November 18, 2017. but he and his ball participated in Guinness World Records Day 2006. The bands were donated by two companies: Alliance Rubber and Textrip Ltd./Stretchwell Inc.The former world record was set in 1978.{| class="wikitable"!Date!Name!Place!Diameter!{{math|C}}!Weight!Bands

Nov 13, 2008	Joel Waul|Lauderhill, Florida	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	23 ft (7.0 m)	4.516 t	≈726,500

Nov, 2006	Steve Milton|Eugene, Oregon	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	19 ft (5.8 m)	2.3018 t	≈175,000

1998	John Bain|Wilmington, Delaware	4 feet (1.2 m)	12 feet 8 in (3.86 m)	1.004 t	unknown

See also

• Hair tie
• Rainbow Loom
• Rubber band gun
• Silly Bandz

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{Commons category multi|Rubber band balls|Rubber bands|Elastic}}{{Underwater diving}}{{Authority control}}