When a rubber band (latex glove) in this case is stretched it heats up and when it contracts it cools down. It has less to do with the work theorem. Instead it has to do with changes in entropy. The spaghetti-like polymers of the rubber become ordered when stretched, i.e. the entropy decreases, which releases heat. When the band contracts entropy increases, which requires heat, which cools down the band. The difference in temperature is 2-3 degrees C. See Feynman lectures on physics I for a longer explanation.
10 сен 2024
