I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles

Views: 2170
06 Feb, 2008

Categories:
Chemistry , Demonstration , Explanation , Family , Physics , Secondary
Chemistry , Demonstration , Explanation , Family , Physics , Secondary
How to capture soap bubbles on a cushion of carbon dioxide.
Director's Notes:
The experiment is taken from this page, which covers the science in some detail, including why the bubbles start to sink.
SciCast Notes:
This can be a fiddly experiment to set up — you need to be extremely careful about draughts, for one thing. So it’s nicely executed here, and the close-ups of soap bubbles are particularly lovely.
I’d have liked to have seen close-ups earlier on, when the vinegar is first added to the bicarbonate of soda, but it’s not as if what’s being done is unclear.
What’s particularly pleasing is showing a partial failure, the fix, and eventual success — it’s hard to get experimental process into a short period of time, but this film manages it. Well done.
— Jonathan.