Can you make a bubble solution that results in bubbles that last longer than the ones in the original activity? Try twisting pipe cleaners into different shapes, such as stars, squares or triangles. What shape are the bubbles made from these differently shaped pipe cleaner wands?
Observations and results Did the solutions with glycerin or corn syrup produce bubbles that lasted longer? Did the solution with glycerin make the longest-lasting bubbles of all? Detergent lowers the surface tension of water enough so that bubbles can form. A bubble formed from a solution with water and detergent is a spherical layer of water molecules that is surrounded on either side by a layer of detergent molecules.
Parts of the detergent molecules are attracted to water which means they are known as hydrophilic and other parts do not want to be near water they are hydrophobic. Because of this, the detergent molecules in the bubble become oriented so that their hydrophilic parts touch the water and their hydrophobic parts face outward, touching the air. The solution with only water and detergent probably made smaller, shorter-lived bubbles compared to the solutions with glycerin or corn syrup.
Bubbles burst when the layer of water molecules between the detergent molecules evaporates. But Glycerin and corn syrup form weak bonds with the water molecules and slow down the evaporation process, thus improving the life span and durability of the bubble.
Glycerin makes stronger, longer-lasting bubbles, but corn syrup is often substituted in bubble solutions because it is cheaper. Can you find other substances around the house that can be added to water to make a bubble solution? If you try products such as shampoo or liquid hand soap, you can check their ingredients to see what might be helping to make the bubbles form. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American.
Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Build a Cooler. Get smart. All three of these recipes make 1L of bubble solution. Make a bubble and understand its structure. See each recipe for details. Why does soap create a film? What does the glycerine do? All Purpose Bubble Solution This solution is great for most bubble tricks, activities and experiments.
Thick Bubble Solution This goopy solution makes bubbles strong enough to withstand a puff of air. Another Thick Bubble Solution This bubble solution works well to create larger and long-lasting bubbles. Details Activity Length 10 mins. Tips for great bubble solutions Glycerine helps soap bubbles hold water, so that they last longer. The hydrophobic ends of the soap molecules crowd to the surface, trying to avoid the water, and stick out away from the layer of water molecules.
As a result, water molecules separate from each other. The increased distance between the water molecules causes a decrease in surface tension, enabling bubbles to form. Why do my homemade bubbles keep popping? It's easy to let a thick layer of foam build up on the surface of your bubble solution. This can happen during the mixing process, or after you've been blowing bubbles for awhile. A layer of foam is not good for big bubbles - it makes them pop much more easily and frequently.
Why does sugar make bubbles longer? Just adding a little sugar to your homemade bubble recipe will make your bubbles last longer. The sugar slows down the water evaporation, which in turn keeps the bubbles from drying out so they stay intact for a longer period of time unless of course the bubble hits the ground - then all bets are off! What does baking powder do to bubbles?
Baking powder works the same way. When you add water to baking powder, the dry acid and base go into solution and start reacting to produce carbon dioxide bubbles. Single-acting baking powder produces all of its bubbles when it gets wet.
Double-acting baking powder produces bubbles again when it gets hot. How do you make store bought bubbles better? Keep leftover bubble solution in a glass or plastic container with a lid. Letting the solution sit for a few hours or overnight will result in stronger bubbles.
How do you make bubble solution with shampoo? Some soaps make bubbles that last longer than others, so experiment with different types until you find one you like.
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