Trouble with Bubbles

In the previous post, while mentioning bubbles are typically spherical in shape, I alluded to the large array of  shape possibilities that clustering bubbles can take on. In this post, I will be demonstrating two ways to produce a particular shape -  a mythical six-sided bubble.  Method 1: Bubble Frame  This method requires a truckload of bubble solution, so be warned!  1. Construct a cube frame out of straws. I cut six straws into halves, and then hot glued them at the corners to form a cube. 2. Dip the cube in bubble solution, then carefully pull it out. The frame should now have a formation that looks like this: Note the square in the center; this is critical to the proper growth of our cubular friend. 3. Using a bubble wand, blow a bubble and then drop it into the center of the cube. At this point, the cubic bubble is formed after the just blown bubble settles in the center. 4. (optional) The size of the cubic bubble ...

Bubbles have entertained and fascinated children and adults alike for eternities;  t hey evoke carefree childhood memories and bring on pure nostalgia . The elegance and whimsicalness of a delicate bubble levitating and jetting around on a current of air is a sight to behold. Yet the simple, timeless appearance belies the fact that they encapsulate fundamental scientific concepts such as elasticity, surface tension, chemistry, light, and even geometry. For these reasons, I will be studying bubbles for my ISP. In this first blog post, I will be providing some prerequisite information about bubbles to lay the groundwork for my future posts.  Bubble Composition : A bubble is a thin layer of water enclosed by two layers of soap. This layer is then stretched out to form a sphere after  air is blown into it. Soap is a critical ingredient to bubbles since without the soap, the bubble would not form, as the surface tension (see below) would be too strong an...