How to Do the Bubbles Experiment in Class

This is a really fun experiment that the kids love! It teaches them about water pressure, bubbles and water displacement. It also allows them to take part in the experiment and possibly recreate it at home with their parents.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Empty, clear 2-liter bottle
• Bendy straw
• Big clear bowl
• Water

1. Fill bottle and bowl with water, but don't fill the bowl too much because the water from the bottle is going into the bowl.
2. Ask the kids what they think will happen if you turn the bottle upside down with the top of the bottle under the water in the bowl. (Most kids think the water will coming pouring out, which it won't.)
3. Explain to the kids that the pressure keeps the water in the bottle, and without something to replace the water at the top (air), the water has to stay in the bottle.
4. Ask the kids what bubbles are filled with and what they think will happen if we blow bubbles into the bottle from underneath it? Air will fill the top and water will come out of the bottle into the bowl!
5. Demonstrate blowing bubbles up into the bottle; this is where bendy straws are much better than straight ones.
6. Allow four or five students to circle around the bottle and blow bubbles up into it. Make sure they notice that the water level in the bowl is going up. If you can do this outside it is cool to have the water in the bowl overflow over the sides.