Research

Before we make our square bubble, we must understand the basics of a bubble. According to Koontz, a bubble is air wrapped up in soap. Bubbles are circular because there is a force inside of them called surface tension which is an attractive force upon the surface when the molecules of a substance stick together (Surface Tension). This surface tension is caused because the liquid molecules are attracted to the surface. According to Home Science Tools, surface tension is what makes the bubble form (“Bubbles”).

We all know what a bubble is, but many people don’t know what ingredients make up a bubble. The two main elements that make up a soap bubble are soap and water. There are also bubbles that form in other liquids. Even though you can find bubbles in other liquids, water is a key ingredient in all bubbles.

There are many types of bubbles that form but, we are working with particularly soap bubbles. Soap is a key ingredient for bubbles because soap helps make soap bubbles form. There are different types of soap, such as, dish soap and hand soap. When using dish soap it lowers the surface tension and allows for other bubbles to be formed (Science Buddies). Dish soap is also thicker than most regular soaps, so it would be better to use for bubbles. You also may be wondering what ingredients are in soap. Soap consists of three active ingredients: sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, or sodium palm kernelate (“What is the active ingredient in soap?”).

Soap molecules have two ends, one end that repels and one that attracts (“Estimating bubble lifetimes”). These soap molecules move to both the inner and outer surfaces. This process causes the water-repelling end into the air and the “head” inward. Without these important molecules on the surface of the bubble, the bubble would burst into water droplets (“Estimating bubble lifetimes”).

Now that we know the basics, we must learn how to make a bubble last longer. There are many ingredients that can be used to make a bubble last longer. Some of these substances include glycerin and corn syrup. Glycerin is a sweet syrupy liquid, which is also formed as a byproduct in the manufacture of soap (“Glycerol”). Corn syrup is similar but, is a syrup that contains dextrins and maltose which is obtained by partial hydrolysis of corn syrup (“Corn syrup”). Corn syrup is usually the main substitute for glycerin because it is a lot less expensive. These substances mix with soap to make it thicker. This is because the thicker the skin of the bubble the slower the bubble will actually evaporate (“How to Make Bubbles”). This thicker skin wall also allows you to blow bigger bubbles.

According to The Museum of Science and Industry, ingredients such as sugar, glycerin and corn syrup not only make the bubble last longer, but make the bubbles bigger. So, now you may be wondering how these substances make the bubble last.

Glycerin and corn syrup both form weak bonds with the water molecules, which slow down the evaporation process (Science Buddies). This process improves the durability of the bubble, which in the end makes the bubble last longer.

You may be wondering why bubbles evaporate. Bubbles evaporate because the water gets trapped inside the layers of the bubble, which then causes the bubble to dry up or pop (“Bubbles”). Evaporation is a process in which water turns from liquid into vapour (“Evaporation”).

Now that we know all about bubbles, we must learn about their shapes. Bubbles are spherical because it is most stable when it is in that shape (“Is it Possible”). To make bubbles into different shapes, you must use tools, such as pipe cleaners and straws to keep the bubble in the square form. We do this because bubbles are spheres, not squares so, we need tools to hold them in place. When you use these pipe cleaners and straws to make your 3-dimensional square, you can dunk it into the soap, and it forms into a square shape (“Square Bubbles”). We add ingredients such as glycerin and corn syrup to the soap to make the bubble and skin thicker. I will also test detergent in place of the soap to see which mixture will be the best to utilize.

All of us know that bubbles are colorful, but many of us don’t know why. Bubbles are made of transparent water so, the colors are actually reflective light (Thaver). According to Wonderopolis, when the light waves hit the bubble, light gets reflected back to our own eyes.