Though often relegated to young children, bubbles contain such great opportunities for learning about material properties and other scientific concepts. Challenging yourself to think about how the pulling of the bubble film interacts with the pushing of the gas inside can lead to wonderful adventures in nuanced engineering.
This post from Babble Dabble Do explains how to manipulate these forces to create geometric bubbles:
There are a myriad of explorations we could do with bubbles, and I hope this won't be my last post. I am posting here to show how to make an extra-large bubble wand. We were gifted one of these years ago and it was one of the best presents we have ever received. Here's the process:
I used two sticks, two small washers, and smooth string. The blue liquid is homemade bubble solution. I drilled holes in the ends of my sticks because the smooth paint made them slippery, but you could just tie it on to the end or use an eyelet.
When connecting the other stick, I had to make sure there was enough slack on one side of the string to allow an opening for the bubble to form. That is also the side that needs a washer or two to weigh it down and pull the string apart to form the bubble.
Notice that I still tied it on to the second stick even though the hole meant it would stay together even without that knot. However, knotting it there creates a continuous rope surface which is helpful for bubbles.
To make bubbles, just dip the string and the ends into bubble solution and hold it up to the wind. Even a slight wind will work, and you don't even have that, gently move the sticks until a bubble forms.
A note on bubble solution: there are lots of theories about how to make the best, most lasting bubbles, and the chemist in me happily celebrates any of your explorations of those recipes. However, if you want something simple that you probably already have ingredients for, do this: Gently mix 1/2 cup dish detergent and 2 teaspoons sugar with 1-1/2 cup water (avoid making bubbles when mixing).
Whether you make geometric bubbles, extra large bubbles, or an invention of your own, I'd love to see it! Enjoy!
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