Book 13, Question 83
Why Do Air Bubbles in Water Look Silvery?
Air bubbles in water look silvery because light inside the water hits the bubble's edge at a steep angle. Instead of passing out, it bounces back. The bubble acts like a tiny round mirror.
More fun facts
- Where light hits a boundary between water and air, it can reflect like a mirror.
- That makes the boundary look shiny and silvery.
- Tiny air bubbles can make tap water look cloudy for a few seconds.
- Once the bubbles escape, the water clears.
- A sooty spoon dipped in water looks silver because air gets trapped on its rough surface.
Sources: Scientific American, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Is cloudy tap water from bubbles safe?
The cloudiness is just tiny air bubbles, and it clears in a few seconds.