Information on Dish Soap Bubbles

Interesting facts and information on bubbles.

Dish soap bubbles are a common occurrence and most people---especially children---cannot help but be mesmerized by how they float and defy gravity for at least a short period of time. Not only can they be entertaining, but there is a science behind how and why soap bubbles form.

Fun and Frugal

Parents can easily supply their kids with homemade dish soap bubbles that they can use for entertainment. Creating homemade bubble solution requires soft water, so it is recommended to purchase distilled water. Along with a dish washing detergent, you will need glycerin---which is available at drugstores. By adding 1 cup of dish soap with 10 cups of water and a quarter cup of glycerin, a homemade bubble solution can be made.

Surface Tension

One of the common aspects behind why bubbles form is due to surface tension. Plain water won't form bubbles, not due to the common misconception that it lacks the necessary surface tension, but due to the fact that it has too much surface tension. Soap decreases the surface tension that water has, allowing the molecules to spread out and form bubbles.

Evaporation

Another key component that soaps---especially dish washing soaps---add to water is that they prevent rapid evaporation of the water, which is a common feature of water when soap is not present. This is what allows soap bubbles to last a long time. Sealing off bubbles in a container also adds to their lifespan. Eiffel Plasterer---an educator---enclosed a bubble that lasted for 341 days.

Composition

The composition of soap molecules is relatively simple. They are formed of long chains, featuring carbon, as well as hydrogen atoms. One end of the molecule features a hydrophilic end---which is attracted to water---while the other end is hydrophobic, which is repelled by water.

Cleaning

During washing, the reason that bubbles are more effective at cleaning than plain water is that the hydrophobic end of the molecule attaches readily to grease. This allows water to seep underneath, which helps loosen the grease. When grease is loosened, it is bombarded by soap bubbles, which helps ensure that it won't attach to anything else.

References

• Exploratorium: Soap
• Fun Frugal Mom: Dish Soap Bubbles