Student
Problem Statement: Which solution makes the biggest bubbles?
Safety: Make sure that the bubble solution is poured on top of trash bags on the tables, report any spills immediately to the teacher. Use napkins routinely to clean up your lab area.
Vocabulary: scientific method, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, controlled experiment, quantitative, qualitative
Materials (per group):

3 different kinds of clear dishwashing liquids

commercial bubble solution

water

glycerin

rulers

straws

plastic trash bags to cover tables
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Four 50-ml beakers
7. Record your group’s results on the data sheet.
8. Complete the class data table and write a conclusion for the activity.
Procedures:
1. Mix three bubble solutions in separate beakers using the following proportions of liquids: 5 ml dishwashing liquid, 30 ml water, and
5 ml plain glycerin. Note: If you want to make a lot of bubble solution, just use larger quantities of each ingredient, keeping them in the 1:6:1 proportion.
2. Put 40 ml of commercial bubble solution in a fourth beaker.
3. To test a solution, pour it onto the plastic trash bag on your table top, put your straw into one of the small bubbles and blow more air into the bubble. Continue blowing air into the bubble until it bursts.
4. Using centimeters, measure the diameter of each bubble print left behind on the trash bag.
5. Repeat this procedure three times for each of the different solutions.
6. While you are doing this activity, make some observations about the colors and other physical characteristics of the bubbles.

Student
Procedures:
2. Mix three bubble solutions in separate beakers using the following proportions of liquids: 5 ml dishwashing liquid, 30 ml water, and 5 ml plain glycerin. Note: If you want to make a lot of bubble solution, just use larger quantities of each ingredient, keeping them in the 1:6:1 proportion.
9. Put 40 ml of commercial bubble solution in a fourth beaker.
10. To test a solution, pour it onto the plastic trash bag on your table top, put your straw into one of the small bubbles and blow more air into the bubble. Continue blowing air into the bubble until it bursts.
11. Using centimeters, measure the diameter of each bubble print left behind on the trash bag.
12. Repeat this procedure three times for each of the different solutions.
13. While you are doing this activity, make some observations about the colors and other physical characteristics of the bubbles.
14. Record your group’s results on the data sheet.
15. Complete the class data table and write a conclusion for the activity.

Student
Observations/Data:
Diameter of
Bubble Solution
Detergent #1
(cm)
Trial #1
Diameter of
Bubble Solution
Detergent #2
(cm)
Diameter of
Bubble Solution
Detergent #3
(cm)
Diameter of
Bubble Solution
Commercial
(cm)
Trial #2
Trial #3
Average
You should also collect qualitative data such as observations about the colors and other physical characteristics of the bubbles.
Data Analysis:
Create a bar graph using the data from the table above; make sure to label your axis(s) and include the units of measurements.
Average Bubble Size Diameter by Solution

Student
Results:
1. From the data collected, which bubble solution makes the biggest bubbles?
2. Compare the commercial bubble solution with the detergent solutions. Was there a difference?
3. Predict the importance of adding glycerin to bubble solutions.
Conclusion:
Write a lab report in paragraph form. Make sure to answer the following questions:

What was investigated?

Was the hypothesis supported by the data?

What were the major findings?

How did your findings compare with other researchers?

What possible explanations can you offer for your findings?

What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the experiment?

What are some possible applications of the experiment?