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Elastic Energy!
When you stretch a rubber band, you store ENERGY in it. This is elastic potential energy. More stretch = more stored energy. Release it and — SNAP! — the energy converts to motion.
This principle powers bows and arrows, catapults, spring-loaded toys, and even car suspensions. A thick rubber band stores more energy than a thin one. A fully stretched band stores more than a slightly stretched one.
You can build a rubber band car! Use a cardboard box with pencil axles through holes on each side. Attach wheels (bottle caps or CDs). Loop a rubber band around the rear axle. Wind it by rolling the car backward — this twists the rubber band. Release and watch it zoom forward!