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rubber
Definition
Rubber is a material that is stretchy and bouncy. It is made from the sap of rubber trees. Rubber is used to make many different things, such as tires, balloons, and gloves.
Rubber is stretchy because it is made up of long molecules that can slide past each other. When you stretch rubber, you are stretching these molecules. When you let go, the molecules spring back into place.
Rubber is bouncy because it stores energy when you stretch it. When you let go, the energy is released, and the rubber bounces back.
How can the word be used?
The tyres on my car are made of rubber.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- a substance that is naturally produced by certain plants and trees, and that can be made into a variety of products, such as tires, hoses, and gloves.
- a piece of rubber used to erase pencil marks.
Verb:
- rub something with rubber.
Etymology
The word "rubber" comes from the Spanish word "caucho", which is derived from the Quechua word "kauchu", which means "tree sap".
The first recorded use of the word "rubber" in English was in the 16th century.
The word "rubber" is a cognate of the Dutch word "rubber" and the German word "Rübber", both of which mean "rubber".
The literal meaning of the word "rubber" is "something that rubs".
Question
What things are made of rubber?