demonstrations:big_dry_ice_bubble
Big Dry Ice Bubble
Materials: ★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
Categories: Dry Ice
Alternative titles: Dry Ice Bubble
Summary
A bowl of water with dry ice is sealed with a soapy film that stretches into a giant bubble. As fog from the dry ice fills the bubble, it grows larger until it bursts.
Procedure
- Place a piece of dry ice into a large bowl and pour in some water.
- Mix dish soap with water to create a bubble solution.
- Soak a strip of cloth in the soapy solution.
- Wipe the soapy cloth around the rim of the bowl.
- Drag the cloth across the top of the bowl to create a soap film sealing the opening.
- Step back and watch the bubble inflate with fog until it pops.
Links
Dry Ice Bubble - mr_JDog75:
📄 Science Kids: https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/dryicebubble.html
Variations
- Try using a smaller cup or a much larger bowl to change bubble size.
- Add food coloring to the bubble solution for a visual effect.
- Use different soap-to-water ratios to see how it affects bubble growth.
Safety Precautions
- Only adults should handle dry ice.
- Always wear heat resistant gloves when touching dry ice to avoid skin burns.
- Work in a well-ventilated space to prevent carbon dioxide buildup.
- Students must not remove dry ice from the demonstration area.
Questions to Consider
- Why does dry ice skip the liquid phase and turn directly into gas?
- How does the soap film hold the gas inside the bubble?
- How does temperature affect the speed at which dry ice sublimates?