This document discusses how polymers have improved various equipment used in soccer over time. It focuses on cleats and soccer balls. Cleats were originally much heavier but are now made of lightweight plastic and rubber with molded studs for traction. Early soccer balls were made of bladders and rugby balls, but polymers allowed for the standardized soccer ball design. Polymers provide the molecules that give each brand of cleats their individual shape and traction. Polymers also improved soccer balls by enabling the technologies needed to craft high-quality balls. Polymers were crucial in constructing sports fields and tracks, providing durable layers and coatings for playing surfaces.

1. By Maricar TamayoPolymers in Sport: Soccer

2. What different types of equipment are used in soccer?Shin guardsEquipment bagsCleatsWater bottleSoccer ballhttp://library.thinkquest.org/5932/EQUIP.HTMhttp://theamericano.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/soccer-ball-over-sky-300x300.jpg

3. Select 2 pieces of equipment from topic #1 & explain what each piece is used for in your sport.Cleats- made out of hard, plastic rubber, the cleats are shoes that have spikes at the bottom of them so it prevents the wearer from slipping often.Soccer Ball- they are made out of rubber and it is the ball used in the game.http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/soccercleatsbu_sphh.htmhttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_first_Football_soccer_ball_made_ofhttp://www.nikys-sports.com/productcart/pc/catalog/adidas-f50-tunit-1_466_general.jpg

4. Describe the evolution/history of the piece of equipment you chose (or in other words, how has this piece of equipment changed through the years?)Cleats- these shoes were created all the was back to the 1500’s; they were was heavier back then compared to how the make them now.http://ezinearticles.com/?Football-Boots-(Soccer-Cleats)-The-History&id=558103http://www.paragonsports.com/images/large/13-101751_royalwhiteblk_cl.jpg

5. Describe how polymers have improved this piece of equipment:How polymers have improved cleats is the molecules in them. They have an individual shape and different cleats brands are different.. Back then, finding the rights molecules & other things that make them the way they are couldn’t be found without the right technology. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS298US299&defl=en&q=define:Polymers&ei=qMt0S-iaIoTTnAeT5onGCQ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CAkQkAEhttp://nicekicks.com/images/air-jordan-iii-cleats-2.jpg

6. Describe the evolution/history of the second piece of equipment you chose (or in other words, how has this piece of equipment changed through the years.)Soccer Ball- first soccer ball ever was made out of an inflatable bladder, then to a rugby ball, then to a soccer ball.http://ezinearticles.com/?Soccer-Balls-Explained---How-Things-Have-Changed&id=1022482http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/photofiles/list/5263/6917soccer_ball.jpg

7. Describe how polymers have improved this second piece of equipment:The soccer ball has different types of molecules in them. Polymers improved the soccer ball by the different equipment needed to make a soccer ball. Without the right technology, we wouldn’t know what ahs made a descent soccer ball.http://ezinearticles.com/?Football-Boots-(Soccer-Cleats)-The-History&id=558103http://richland.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/soccer-ball.jpg

8. Research our football field/outdoor track and discuss how polymers were important in the construction of it and others fields like it: The polymers on the football field and outdoor track are very different and are just more than one molecule. The layers, coats, and even the paint are all polymers. It’s important because the ground can’t just be normal, it has to have some kind of surface to run on so there won’t be much slipping.http://www.advpolytech.com/navigation/recreat.htmhttp://www.clarkcompanies.com/Site%20Revision/images/Large%20Project%20Photos/UMASS%20Track%20and%20Field%20Facility.jpg