Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

# Dynamics of Rubber Band Stretch Ejection

Version 1 : Received: 9 March 2021 / Approved: 11 March 2021 / Online: 11 March 2021 (07:38:36 CET)

How to cite: Li, X.; Sun, B.; Zhang, Y.; Dai, Y. Dynamics of Rubber Band Stretch Ejection. Preprints 2021, 2021030294 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202103.0294.v1). Li, X.; Sun, B.; Zhang, Y.; Dai, Y. Dynamics of Rubber Band Stretch Ejection. Preprints 2021, 2021030294 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202103.0294.v1).

## Abstract

Why do stretched rubber bands not hit the hand after ejection? What is the mechanism behind the rubber band ejection dynamics? These questions represent a fascinating scientific problem. Because the size of a rubber band in the circumferential direction is much larger than that in the other two directions of its cross-section, we regard the rubber band as a slender beam and establish a mathematical model of the dynamics of the rubber band stretching and ejection. Furthermore, we obtain the dependence of the dynamic curvature of the rubber band on the arc length and time. We used the finite element software ABAQUS to simulate the dynamic process of a rubber band stretching and ejection. The simulation results and dimensional analysis were performed to examine the effect of the bending elastic rebound velocity. The mathematical model and simulation results revealed that the relationship between the curvature and time at the end of the rubber band ($s =0$) was as follows: $\kappa\sim t^{-{1}/{2}}$. This research has guiding significance for the design of rubber bands as elastic energy storage devices.

## Keywords

ejection rubber band; elastodynamics; bending effect; hyperelastic materials; maple

## Subject

PHYSICAL SCIENCES, Acoustics

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