Bubble Up

A bubble is a pocket of air or other gas trapped in a thin layer of liquid. The soap bubbles in your bath form because soap molecules (tiny building blocks) have two ends: a hydrophilic (hi-druh-FI-luk) end that’s attracted to water and a hydrophobic (hi-druh-FOW-buk) end that’s attracted to oil.

When soap and water mix, the hydrophilic end of the soap molecule connects to a water molecule. The hydrophobic end moves away from water molecules. The opposite ends of the soap molecules trap a thin layer of water between themselves. They spread out into a sphere and create a coating around a tiny bit of air to form a bubble.

Did you know?

• The largest floating soap bubble ever recorded was 105 feet long.
• National Bubble Bath Day is January 8.

Bubbles aren't just for fun. Did you know bubbles keep the water warm in your tub? The air trapped inside the bubbles creates a barrier on the water’s surface, trapping the heat from escaping.

Sometimes humans copy God’s very good design in the products we make. This is called biomimicry. Scientists have made swimming pool covers from plastic bubbles. Just like the bubbles in your bathwater, the bubble covers keep the heat trapped in the water when the pool isn’t being used.

Make your own bubble bath! Mix together . . .

• ¼ cup warm water
• ½ cup liquid soap
• ¼ cup coconut oil

As you fill the tub with water, pour in the mixture and watch the bubbles grow!