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Square Bubbles It's easy to make a square bubble using dish soap and water.
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Square Bubbles
Square Bubbles
Square Bubbles

Do square bubbles really exist? That's the question of the day and the answer is yes… if you know the science secret. Square bubbles are easy to make and serve as a great learning tool as students explore the concepts of soap films and surface tension. Get ready to amaze your friends.

Materials

Steve uses Zome Crazy Bubbles to build the cube used to make the square bubble. Similar cubes can be constructed using straws and pipe cleaners. You'll also need a large bucket for water and some Dawn dish soap.

Try this bubble recipe...

Start with 8 liters of warm water in a bucket or deep sink. Use a container at least 30 cm (one foot) in diameter and at least 30 cm (one foot) deep. A large bucket is ideal, or try a rectangular file box (from any office store). Add 1/2 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent. Mix the bubble solution gently and remove excess foam. For tougher, longer lasting bubbles, add 1 tablespoon glycerin.

  1. Find a container to hold 2 gallons of water (or so). Some people use a 5 gallon bucket while others use a big plastic tube found in a department store.
  2. Add 2 cups of liquid dishwashing detergent. The real "bubble masters" prefer the Dawn brand but other brands work. Just try to avoid detergent that contains antibacterial products are not recommended.)
  3. Mix the bubble solution gently with your hand. For crystal-clear bubbles, be sure that you always KEEP THE SURFACE FREE OF FOAM. If the water is hard in your area, add extra detergent. Optional: Add a tablespoon of glycerin (from any drugstore) for tougher, longer-lasting bubbles.
    Tip: Bubble solution improves with age. If you can, leave the mixture in an open container for at least one day before use.
  4. Tighten the connections on your model, then dip it into the bubble solution. Always hold the model by a node. Dipping at an angle works best. Be sure that the model is immersed completely, so that all sides are covered. Gently lift the model out of the bubble solution. You should have an exciting geometric bubble!

How does it work?

Bubbles form because of the SURFACE TENSION of water. Hydrogen atoms in one water molecule are attracted to oxygen atoms in other water molecules. They like each other so much, they cling together. Normal bubbles enclose the MAXIMUM VOLUME OF AIR with THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF BUBBLE SOLUTION, so they are always round. In fact, all Zome bubbles are “MINIMUM” surfaces. When stretched between Zome struts, bubbles cling to the Zome model as you dip into the solution. The surface tension of water, alone, is TOO STRONG to make good bubbles, ADDING SOAP REDUCES THE SURFACE TENSION. It also adds oily film that slows down the evaporation process, so you get longer-lasting bubbles!

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