Please help me! I need to know the answer... this is for my investigatory project....
thanks!
2007-02-14 23:33:52 · 3 answers · asked by MaRg ~9JVW~ 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
This happens because the rubber has been "crosslinked" by a process called "vulcanization". Rubber and other polymers are made up of large molecules, and some rubbers like natural rubber or polyisoprene can be further reacted to make a 3-dimensional network of these polymer molecules. Rubber in tires has been vulcanized, and in so doing, the tire has become in reality one large molecule (the rubber part is, at least). If the rubber had not been crosslinked, it would completely dissolve in the kerosene.
Look up "Vulcanization" in Wikipedia.
2007-02-15 00:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by Glenguin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummmmm...? What kind of investigation are you doing that involves soaking rubbers in kerosene? Couldn't that give someone a rash or something?
2007-02-14 23:37:04 · answer #2 · answered by Spud55 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Natural rubber can absorb kerosene, apparently.
2007-02-14 23:37:32 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋