What is the main molecule in bouncy balls?
Superballs are made of the synthetic rubber polymer polybutadiene which is made by joining together many 1,3-butadiene molecules.
1,3-Butadiene (please wait for 3D molecule to load... Left-click to rotate, use mouse wheel to zoom, right-click for options)
What other balls are made of polybutadiene?
Due to its high resilience, polybutadiene is used to make golf balls…
… but they do not have a smooth surface.
(The science of the dimples in golf balls is a whole different story – can you think of reasons why golf balls are not smooth?)
Do you know of any other videos about superballs?
Click the Discussion tab and post the link!
See also
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(1 vote)  VideoUsing simple, easy to buy chemicals you can make your very own superball!
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Superballs
What makes superballs bounce so brilliantly?
This video is made by a student for A' Level Physics Coursework, making research on polybutadiene, or the material inside Superballs (or Bouncy Balls).
It has been heavily influenced by the Sony Bravia adverts (with music by a former PhD student in biochemistry at University of Gothenburg, Sweden - José Gonzales).
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