# Explain why a rubber band is described as having elastic behaviour and describe what happens to the rubber band when a force greater than its elastic limit is applied.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.4.2 Materials · Explain · 5 marks

> A student stretches a rubber band by hanging weights from it. They notice that when small weights are removed, the rubber band returns to its original length. However, when a very large weight is added and then removed, the rubber band does not return to its original length.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Elastic behaviour means the material returns to its original shape/length after the force is removed
2. This happens because the deformation is temporary / reversible
3. The elastic limit is the maximum force/extension beyond which the material will not return to its original shape
4. When the force exceeds the elastic limit, the deformation becomes permanent / inelastic
5. The rubber band is now longer than its original length / has a new resting length after the large weight is removed

## Key terms

- [elastic behaviour](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/elastic-behaviour)
- [elastic limit](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/elastic-limit)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-rubber-band-is-7b3da549) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.