Stretching a rubberband mulitple times, increases extension length

[[L]otus]

My group did an experiment on rubber bands. The rubber bands were stretched multiple times from 50, 100 and 150 times and then a weight was attached to the rubber band to record its extension. On average the rubber band's extension increased by 10 cm after each increment of 50 stretches.

I thought the rubber band was getting worn out and was slowly reaching its elastic limit, hence, the rubber band extension got longer.

However, i couldn't find any theory as to why this had occurred or supporting my observation.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PeterO]

My group did an experiment on rubber bands. The rubber bands were stretched multiple times from 50, 100 and 150 times and then a weight was attached to the rubber band to record its extension. On average the rubber band's extension increased by 10 cm after each increment of 50 stretches.

I thought the rubber band was getting worn out and was slowly reaching its elastic limit, hence, the rubber band extension got longer.

However, i couldn't find any theory as to why this had occurred or supporting my observation.

Thanks for the help.

Check out this: it could explain what is/has happened.

http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/rubberband.html