Praxis: Santa’s beard of bubbles

By Patty Rooks on December 28, 2019.

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat

I have some exciting news to tell you all. A secret of mine is that I have been trying for YEARS to catch him, and I think I finally caught a glimpse on Christmas Eve. Yes, Santa himself. I sat up all night and just as I was dozing off in my favourite chair, all snuggled up with a lovely fluffy blanket there he was sneaking presents under my beautiful Christmas tree! Unfortunately, my glasses fell off and I was not able to see him well, but I did see his beard and thought I would share with all of my loyal readers what I remember it looking like. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– Ultra Ivory Dawn dish soap

– water

– glycerine or corn syrup

– pail

– small containers for everyone to use such as cups or small jars

– reusable straws

– mixing spoon

Procedure

1. The first thing you need to do is make the bubble mixture.

2. Measure approximately 1.5 L (6 cups) of water. Pour into the pail.

3. Slowly add 500 mL (2 cups) liquid dish soap.

4. Add 125 mL (1/2 cup) of glycerine or corn syrup.

5. Take a spoon and gently mix together. You do not want to shake it up very vigorously as it will make too many bubbles.

6. Allow everyone to fill their container about half full of the bubble mixture.

7. Place a straw in the container and blow, blow and blow some more. Santa has a BIG beard so you need a lot of bubbles.

8. Note: if you are doing this with younger children be careful they don’t suck on the straw instead of blowing.

9. Try to see who can make the biggest beard!

What do bubbles have to do with science?

I absolutely love bubbles and so many people save them only for the summer. They are a great year round experiment for everyone to enjoy! I hope that you were able to blow a beard full of bubbles!

Bubbles are amazing and when you think of the science behind them it can be pretty complex. In the simplest of terms, a bubble is really just air wrapped up like a present in soap film. Did you know that learning about bubbles allows us the opportunity to study such science concepts as elasticity, surface tension, and chemistry, light and even geometry? Who though there was so much to learn when it is so much fun!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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