We're down to the final matches of the world cup
 and as the excitement builds towards the final game,
 imagine our excitement when our pals 
across the pond at compound interest explained
the chemistry of the world cup soccer ball.
Now before the comment war on
"soccer versus football" starts,
let's talk chemistry.
Now when you think soccer, you probably imagine
Cristiano Ronaldo or Clint Dempsey
 dribbling the ball down the field
and don't give science a second thought.
But there's a ton of chemistry that goes
 into engineering the ball to ensure
 maximum aerodynamic performance.
So when it comes to this soccer ball,
or brazuca, we need to talk about polymers.
The ball is made up primarily of polymers,
which are long molecules built up
from smaller molecules.
Polyurethane is an example of a polymer.
 The smaller molecules that make up these larger
polymer molecules can vary giving polyurethane 
different properties and a wide range of uses
like foam seating, adhesives, skateboard wheels
and soles for your shoes.
so back to the brazuca.
There are three main parts of a soccer ball
—the outer covering, the lining and the bladder,
which is where the air goes.
The covering is made up of six polyurethane panels,
which are heated until they bond together.
The polyurethane used here is made from 
isocyantes and polyols, and allows the covering
to protect the ball from absorbing water.
The polyurethane also makes the ball
much lighter than leather ones.
The lining has several layers.
The main components of the lining 
are polymers called polyamides,
nylon is a common example of a polyamide.
You've all heard of nylon.
 It's used in clothing, bed sheets, carpets, and ropes.
The nylon used in the brazuca is designed
improve the bounce and strength of the ball.
The bladder section of the brazuca 
is made from butyl rubber.
In some soccer balls, 
the bladder is made from latex.
But this  world cup ball uses butyl rubber.
Butyl rubber holds the air in for longer,
although latex provides better surface tension.
Butyl rubber is also in the tiny valve 
used to inflate the ball.
So whoever your world cup team happens to be,
just think of all the chemistry that goes
into that little ball flying across the field!
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Also check out these videos
about how artificial snow is made or
what makes your ice cream so creamy.
