Non-Spherical Bubbles

Individual bubbles will always be round. You may have noticed in the bubble paper activity that bubbles are not always round when they touch one another. Indeed, when bubbles attach to one another, they can create all sorts of shapes. Because bubbles want to take up as little space as possible, when they attach to one another, they try to share each other’s space. This sharing creates flattened sides where the bubbles attach.

You can see this phenomenon very clearly by building three-dimensional geometric shapes (cubes, pyramids, etc.) on which to attach your bubbles. Building these shapes will be easier for older children, but with your help, younger children can build these shapes as well.

What you will need: Pipe cleaners and bubble solution.

Connect pipe cleaners to create various three-dimensional geometric shapes. Dip your shape into your bubble solution and discuss with your child the form that the bubble takes within your pipe cleaner structure. Examine the pictures at the Thinking Fountain Bubble Geometry website to help you build your three-dimensional shapes: http://www.thinkingfountain.org/b/bubblegeometry/bubblegeometry.html

Create your own 3-D shapes to experiment with how bubbles attach and take the shape of different forms.