The Chemistry of a Ping Pong Ball

Substitute for Natural materials such as ivory and horns to make anything from combs to eyeglass frames.

** 2 main components: nitrocellulose and camphor

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Nitrocellulose

Made from the nitration of Cotton (Nitric Acid + Wood fibers or starch = Nitrocellulose)

Also known as Cellulose Nitrate, Soluble Gun Cotton, Iodion Cotton Cellodion Wool, Pyroxylin

Formula C6H7N3O11

Used to make anything from Smokeless Gun Powder, solid rocket propellants, waterproof fuses(pyrotechnics),and highly explosive Nitroglycerin!

For a cool experiment of making Nitrocellulose

look here: http://www.powerlabs.org/chemlabs/nitrocellulose.htm

Camphor

Found naturally in the tree Cinnamomum Camphora

Formula C10H16O

The leaves and bark of the tree are put in distiller and a white crystal.

Chemistry's Role

Flat Celluloid sheets and submerged and soaked in hot alcohol, when soft its pressed into a hemispherical shape. After being trimmed and hardened the mold is joined with another half of the same weight. They and stuck together with an alcohol based glue. Then put into a machine that will smooth the surface of the ball. Lastly it goes to being stamped and packaged.

Background Research

• The Diameter of a ping pong ball was originally 38mm and had a mass of 2.7 grams
• The ball should bounce 24-26 cm high when dropped from 30.5cm high on a steel block.
• The gas inside the Balls is really just the normal everyday that we breath.
• There are three quality of balls: 1 stars, 2 stars, 3 stars.3 being the best.
• Made out of a celluloid plastic material that is high-bouncing and air-filled.

Resources

http://www.tabletennismaster.com/page/ping-pong-balls

All about Ping Pong Balls

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celluloid

Celluloids

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/101626/celluloid

Celluloids

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-camphor.htm

Camphors

http://www.powerlabs.org/chemlabs/nitrocellulose.htm

Nitrocellulose

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