Hooked on Science: Superbubbles

You can create superbubbles with a few materials from around the house.

Materials

* 6 cups of distilled water

* 1 cup of corn syrup

* 2 cups of dishwashing liquid

Instructions

STEP 1: Mix the ingredients together and allow the bubbles to settle before using.

Explanation

Surface tension, an invisible bond that holds water molecules together, is the secret behind creating super bubbles. The dishwashing liquid relaxes the surface tension of the water, allowing it to be more elastic. The corn syrup allows the bubble to form a stronger skin, which keeps the water from evaporating. The result: a stronger bubble that lasts longer.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science.