Book 3, Question 115 · Video
Why Do Bubbles Shimmer Then Pop?
A bubble is a super thin sandwich of water and soap, with air inside. Light bounces off that thin skin and mixes into rainbow colors, until the wall gets too thin and breaks!
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do bubbles shimmer then pop?
The Big Idea
A bubble is a super thin sandwich of water and soap, with air inside. Light bounces off that thin skin and mixes into rainbow colors, until the wall gets too thin and breaks! Let's find out how it works, in three easy steps!
Step 1
Step one: dip the wand! When you lift it out, a thin soap film stretches across the loop, like a see-through skin. It's like a see-through skin made of soap!
Step 2
Step two: the colors shimmer! Light waves bounce off both sides of the film and mix together. Different thicknesses make different colors, so the rainbow swirls and shifts! That's why bubbles look like they have tiny rainbows on them.
Step 3
Step three: the film breaks! Gravity drains the water downward, so the top gets thinner and thinner. Then one weak spot rips, and pop! The whole bubble vanishes. Just before it pops, a bubble often looks dark, because the wall is super thin.
A Closer Look
Let's zoom in on a bubble wall! There are two soap layers, one on the inside and one on the outside. A thin layer of water is trapped in between. Air fills the inside, and more air is all around. Every part has an important job to do!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Dry air pops bubbles faster, because the water evaporates. A little glycerin or sugar can help backyard bubbles last longer. When two bubbles touch, they share a wall and meet at about 120 degrees. Bubble mix can be slippery, so play outside, or on a towel.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Blow two bubbles, one in still air and one near a fan, with a grown-up to help. Watch which one lasts longer. Did the wind, the dry air, or both steal the water? Write down what you see! Scientists always write down what they see. Have fun!
Outro
Bubbles are tiny rainbows that pop! Keep on wondering! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!