Blowing Bubbles isn't Just for Summer Anymore

For some of us, winter brings COLD temperatures and days spent mostly indoors.  Here’s a science activity to get everyone outdoors and burning off some energy.

Plus, your children will get a fun lesson about the properties of hot and cold air!

Discussion:

 Cold air is heavier than warm air.  Therefore, warm air will rise above cold air.  This can be difficult to see, and consequently, difficult for younger children to understand.  This activity will help your child understand this concept, while having some fun!

 
Remember, science is fun!

What you’ll need:

 A day with fairly cold temperatures, preferably below 40 degrees Fahrenheit

Bubble solution (recipe below) or a bottle of store bought solution

Bubble wand

Directions:

1.  Make a bubble solution by mixing 1/3 cup Dawn dis soap, 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of sugar.
2. Divide the solution into two containers.  Place one outside so it will cool to the outside temperature.
3. Whether using bubble solution purchased at the store or the recipe above, place the solution in a microwave save container and microwave for 15 seconds to warm slightly.
4. If a thermometer is available, read the outdoor temperature.
5. Also, measure the temperature of the bubble solution.
6. Discuss our body temperature.  Have your child puff on their hand to feel the temperature of their breath.
7. Discuss which is colder – the outdoor air, the temperature of the solution or our breath.
8. Take this warm bubble solution outside and blow bubbles using the warm solution.
9. Next blow bubbles with the cold solution.
10. What difference do you see in the rate the bubbles rise into the air.
11. Next, rather than blowing into the bubble wand, wave it gently in the cold air and use cold air to fill the bubbles.

The bubbles made with warm solution and our warm breath rise more quickly because warm air is lighter than cold air.

Check out these bubble blowing activities and articles:

Make a bubble machine.

Read how bubble science helps deep sea divers.

Make bubbles shaped like cubes.

Michelle

Michelle and her husband have been homeschooling for 9 years. Michelle has a Master's degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She serves as the Judge Advisor for the North Carolina FIRST (www.usfirst.org) Lego League.  She is the author of numerous Sam's Science Adventures, including "RIC: Robots in the Classroom", all available through www.TreasureBoxPress.com.  She spent 15 years in the biotechnology industry before turning her heart toward home

Posted in The Experimental Zone, 2 comments, Link
Leave a Comment