Bubble-ology

Bubble-ology: The Chemistry and Engineering of Bubbles!

Bubbles are an incredibly important part of the natural world. Bubbles help scientists understand complex topics important to daily life such as space, aviation engineering, light refraction, medical sciences, mathematics, and marine biology. Bubbles are even being investigated as a possible source of clean, alternative energy! Understanding how bubbles form and burst is critical to many S.T.E.M. fields.

In this experiment, we will explore bubble chemistry and bubble engineering. While conducting this experiment, here are some questions to investigate:

• Can you make your bubbles bigger or smaller? Can you blow harder or softer to accomplish this?

• Can you change the shape of the bubbles? Does the shape of your bubble wand affect the shape of the bubbles you produce?

• Can you produce more than one bubble on each blow? What can you do to your solution or wand to make it possible to blow many bubbles at once?

• Which bubbles have a rainbow color and which bubbles are colorless? What causes these color variations?

Let’s Begin!

Materials:

• Store-bought bubble solution

• 6 cups of water

• 1 cup dish soap (Dawn works well) 

• corn syrup

• 3 paper cups

• 2 bowls

Directions:

1. Pour 6 cups of water into a large bowl

2. Add one cup of dish soap and stir gently

3. Pour half of the dish soap solution into a second bowl

4. Add 1/8 a cup of corn syrup to only the second bowl and stir

5. On the bottom of the paper cups, label the cups "Store-bought," "Dish soap," and "Corn Syrup."

6. On the side of the cup, label them 1-3

7. Fill each cup with the corresponding solution

8. Test each solution for the following:

   • The number of bubbles produced on each blow

   • How large of a bubble you can blow

   • How long until the bubble bursts

9. Decide which solution (1-3) performed the best in each category and place a check mark in the box on your worksheet. At the end of the experiment, decide which bubble solution (# 1-3) is the best.

10. Reveal the best solution by checking the bottom of the cup

Tip: Be sure to rinse off the bubble wand before moving between solutions.

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Examining the Experiment

The Anatomy of Bubbles

Bubbles are produced when pockets of air become trapped in a thin membrane of water and soap. Soap molecules form a barrier around a thin water layer. These soap molecules are held together through intermolecular force and surface tension.

 Why do bubbles POP!?

Bubbles pop for a bunch of reasons.

1. Bubbles pop because the molecules that make up its membrane  s  t  r  e  t  c  h  too far. When this happens, the bonds between the molecules break, causing the membrane to POP!

2. When the soapy membrane of the bubble comes in contact with the dirt and oils on our skin, it changes the chemical composition of the membrane and weakens the membrane bonds until it POPS! This is why wearing a fabric glove or wetting our hands can allow us to touch bubbles without it BURSTING.

3. In warm temperatures, bubbles pop more quickly. That is because the water in the membrane evaporates, BREAKING the soapy membrane.

Science Extension

1. Try to make fun, new bubble shapes! You can become a bubble engineer by using common household items such as slotted spoons, whisks, and spatulas, or build your own shapes using straws and pipe cleaners. Explore the effects of surface tension on bubble shapes!

2. Bubbles pop because the water membrane dries out and disappears. You can prevent your bubble from popping by wetting your hands or conducting this experiment on humid days so you can touch, bounce, and play with your bubble creations!

3. Try blowing bubbles outside on a freezing cold day. Observe your bubble freeze through a magnifying glass. What do you see?