Natural and human-made rubber can change its shape and come back again. Materials that can do this are called “elastic”. Elastic materials are useful in lots of ways:
They can bounce us around!
Some trampolines use thick rubber bands and rubber mats to make a bouncy surface that’s really fun to play on!
They can grip!
Similar to how tires and sneakers grip the road, a rubber band can help you grip the lid of a jar to make it easier to open.
They are even part of you!
Your body’s cartilage is your own elastic material. If you bend the outside of your ear and let go, it bounces right back. That’s because your outer ear is made from cartilage which is made from fibers with some elastic properties similar to rubber.
