Bubble-ology Lab
Design an experiment to create a mixture that will produce
the biggest bubble!
We have been discussing the steps of scientific inquiry in class.
Our focus has been mainly on variables. It is now time to put
your knowledge into action… bubble action!
Your assignment:
You and a partner/group are going to try to create a mixture/solution that will create
the biggest bubble that WGMS has ever seen. However, you need to make this fun
activity into an experiment. How do you make this an experiment? Well, you and your
partner/group will test different mixtures/solutions… that you will make. You will need to
decide what ingredients you want to test. This may sound simple, however, people of
all ages have been researching and testing different solutions in search of the biggest
bubble solution for years!
You will choose what part of a solution to test: the water, the type of soap, or the type of
thickening agent (or use of no thickening agent). There are several different formulas
and recipes that have been researched and the recipe for the mixture/souktion that
has the best overall rating is one that we are going to use (below). However, the
research still continues!
So, what do you think makes the best bubble mixture?
Is it tap water or distilled water?
Or is it a specific type of dish soap (Joy, Dawn, generic, etc)?
Or maybe it is the use of a thickening agent (glycerin, sugar or corn syrup)?
Who knows? Maybe the students at WGMS can finally put the mystery to rest and solve
what many have failed to do and create the biggest bubble!
Materials:
mixing container
bubble wand
measuring cups
measuring spoons stirring spoon
tape measurer/stick
safety goggles
Water: tap water, distilled water, sparking, spring, flavored, etc.
Soap: dish soap (Joy, Dawn, generic or another brand) or shampoo (Johnson’s
baby, VO5, or another brand) or Hand soap (many different kinds) or
Shower gel (many different kinds)
Thickening Agent: glycerin, sugar, corn syrup, molasses,
corn starch or something else (or none)
Recipe for Mixture/Solution:
½ cup of soap
5 cups of water
2 tablespoons of thickening agent (if using it –
you do not have to – depends on what you are testing)
If you are still not sure as to what you’re suppose to test, here are some ideas.
Let’s say that I want to test the type of water used in the mixture. So, I would make one
mixture using distilled water, another mixture using tap water and a third mixture with
sparkling water.
All of the other ingredients would stay the same.
Or, how about testing the type of dish soap? Or type of shampoo? or hand soap? or
shower gel? Or dish soap vs. shampoo vs. hand soap vs shower gel?
Or the type of thickening agent? Or how about not using a thickening agent?
As you can see, there are many possible experiments within this activity.
Decide on a recipe that you think will produce the biggest bubble! (Your hypothesis)
Schedule:
Wednesday 9/9: Explain Bubble-ology and pick a partner
You and your partner have 5 days to gather supplies…. if you choose to use any that I
do not have in class.
Thursday 9/10 after test and Friday 9/11: Complete steps 1-3 and create the data table
you will use in Step 4
Tuesday 9/15 and Wednesday 9/16: Test Solutions and complete Steps 4-6
Thursday 9/17: Communicate your results with the class. Submit your lab form (A
Google Doc of Steps 1-6 in Google Classroom/your Google Drive) by the end of the
period to be graded.
Scientific Inquiry - Bubble-ology
Step 1 - Posing Question: What solution will create the biggest bubble?
Step 2 – Your Hypothesis: _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Step 3 - Design an Experiment
Independent Variable: ___________________________________________________
Dependent Variable: ____________________________________________________
Controlled Variables: ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Materials: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Procedures: (add more if needed)
1) __________________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________________________
4) __________________________________________________________________________
5) __________________________________________________________________________
Step 4 - Collect and Record Data: (You will need to create your own data table(s) to
record evidence/data.)
Step 5 – Analyze and Look for Patterns (You may create a graph if appropriate or make
notes of patterns, trends, etc)
Step 6 – Draw a Conclusion (Summary of Results):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Step 7 – Communicate Results (We will have a class discussion and share.)