Hooked on Science: Soap in the microwave

Ingredients

• Bar of Ivory soap
• Microwave
• Paper plate

Instructions

• STEP 1: Place the soap on a paper plate. Describe and classify the soap by its observable properties.
• STEP 2: Using the microwave, heat the soap for one minute.
• STEP 3: Remove the soap from the microwave and observe. Describe and classify the soap by its observable properties. Develop a model to describe how the soap is made of particles too small to be seen.

Explanation

The water and air trapped inside the bar of soap are heated by the microwave. This causes the water to evaporate and the air to expand. The expanding air forces the soap to puff up.