Bubbles are a delightful phenomenon! But what actually forms these bubbles that float and eventually burst?
The key to creating effective bubbles lies in surface tension, which is the invisible force that holds water molecules together. Water is polar, meaning it has distinct positive and negative ends, similar to a magnet that pulls opposites together. When water molecules align, they bond tightly, producing surface tension.
You may think it’s this surface tension that creates the bubble’s structure. However, plain water’s surface tension is too high to generate foam. If you try blowing bubbles with just water, you’ll find it nearly impossible! A successful bubble solution includes added detergent, which reduces the water’s surface tension, giving it a more elastic and flexible quality. This allows it to behave like a balloon’s skin, ensnaring air within the bubbles like a thin, stretchable skin.
What materials do you need to concoct a reliable bubble solution at home? The essentials are water and detergent. For this experiment, you’ll add glycerin or corn syrup to discover if it enhances bubble production. Which concoction will yield the largest bubbles? Which will last the longest?
Terminology and Concepts
To engage in this experiment, you should familiarize yourself with the following terms. Look them up online or consult your local library for more information!
- Water molecule
- Polar molecules
- Surface tension
- Physical properties
- Elastic properties
- Detergent
Questions
- What are the primary ingredients of bubble solutions and what roles do they serve?
- How do the physical characteristics of the foam change as the ingredients vary?
- Which mixture creates the most effective bubble solution?
Resources
Learn all about bubbles on the Exploratorium Museum’s website in San Francisco.
- Hipschman, R., 1995. Bubbles, Exploratorium Museum, San Francisco, California. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
This article explores the history of bubble formula components.
- Pepling, R., 2003. What is it? Bubbling, Chemical and Engineering News, Volume 81, Number 17, pp. 34, Published by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Retrieved June 6, 2007.
For additional insights, refer to Wikipedia’s information on bubbles.
- Wikipedia contributor, Soap Bubble, Wikipedia, free encyclopedia. Retrieved on July 26, 2010.
Materials and Equipment
- Glass mason jar with lid (recycled jars work well)
- Cup and spoon measurements
- Distilled water
- Liquid dishwashing soap (e.g. Dawn®)
- Glycerin (small bottles available at drugstores)
- Light corn syrup
- Pipe cleaner
- Permanent marker
- Stopwatch
Experimental Procedure
- First, create a bubble solution and store it in clearly labeled glass mason jars. Use one jar for each different solution and mark it with its formula using permanent markers. Below are three basic solutions to try, ensuring the total amounts remain consistent:
| Material | Solution #1 (Detergent only) | Solution #2 (Detergent + Glycerin) | Solution #3 (Detergent + Corn Syrup) |
| Water | 1 cup (240 ml) + 1 tablespoon (15 ml) | 1 cup (240 ml) | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Detergent* | 2 tablespoons (30 ml) | 2 tablespoons (30 ml) | 2 tablespoons (30 ml) |
| Glycerin | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) | ||
| Corn syrup | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) |
*Note: In this table, dish soap is referred to as detergent.
- Next, fashion a pipe cleaner wand for each solution. Pinch the center of the pipe cleaner, twist it, and bend half into a circle, securing it by twisting at the center. Repeat this for the other two pipe cleaners to ensure all circles are the same diameter.
- Head outside to test your bubble solutions. Blow bubbles and catch them using a wand. Start the stopwatch immediately and measure how long each bubble lasts. This requires a bit of practice, so try using one of the other solutions before starting your serious trials!
- Perform multiple trials for each solution.
- Record your results in a data table.
| Solution #1 – Bubble Time (seconds) | Solution #2 – Bubble Time (seconds) | Solution #3 – Bubble Time (seconds) | |
| Trial 1 | |||
| Trial 2 | |||
| … | |||
| Trial 20 | |||
| Total | |||
| Average bubble time (seconds) |
- For each bubble solution, calculate the average duration (in seconds) that the bubbles stay intact. To do this, add the results for each solution together and divide by the number of trials.
- Create a graph to visualize the data. For each solution, develop a bar representing the average time (in seconds) that bubbles last.
- Analyze your findings. Which solution performed the best?
Variations
- This experiment explored whether additives such as glycerin and corn syrup impacted the results. How do different concentrations affect bubble formation? If you’re adept at measuring bubble durations, experiment with varying concentrations of glycerin or corn syrup. What amounts produce optimal results?
- Are bubbles always spherical? Try shaping your pipe cleaners into different forms, such as stars, squares, and triangles. How do these shapes influence the bubbles?
- What occurs when three or more bubbles merge? Attempt to design an experiment that tests whether merged bubbles consistently form 120-degree angles.
- Have you ever experimented with “magic bubbles”? These bubbles resist evaporation and are stable enough to touch without bursting. The secret lies in the elastic molecules (polymers) added to the solution, which improve the bubble’s resilience against evaporation. Test your bubble mixture with unique ingredients. Do they alter the bubbles’ physical characteristics? Here are some suggestions:
- A small amount of glue
- Diverse food coloring mixtures
- Scented oils
This activity was created in collaboration with Science Buddies. Visit the original activity on the Science Buddies website.
Source: www.snexplores.org
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