Let's Get Fizzical

Team D
    Stan Bahner
    Larry O'Connell
    Linda Root

Objectives:
     -To demonstrate that water molecules are strongly attracted to
      one another
     -To demonstrate that this strong attraction creates surface
      tension
     -To show that soap reduces the water's surface tension
     -To demonstrate that a bubble is an inflated drop of water

Apparatus needed:
     Petri dish                            Proctor & Gamble's Joy
     Needle                                Glycerine
     1/2 gallon paper milk container       Water
     Eyedropper                            Bubble Thing (See 
     Clean pail                                   reference)
     Funnel                                Overhead projector
     Flat dish (Dessert plate)

Recommended strategies:
1. Fill the half gallon container with water. Poke a series of small 
   holes near the bottom. The holes should be 0.5 cm apart.  A dinner 
   fork that has had its prongs sharpened with a file works well to 
   poke these holes. The water should squirt from these holes as 
   separate streams. Rub your finger over the holes and the streams 
   will join together showing that water molecules attract each other.
2. Fill the petri dish with water almost to the top and place it on the 
   overhead.  Carefully float the needle on the surface.  Using the 
   eyedropper, place a drop of Joy on the surface of the water near the 
   edge of the petri dish.  Observe that the needle quickly moves to 
   the opposite side of the dish and sinks.  Discuss the fact that soap 
   reduces the surface tension of water. 
3. Make a pail of bubble solution. (See reference)  Fill the shallow 
   plate with a small amount of the solution, and dip the broad end of 
   the funnel in the plate.  Blow on the narrow end of of the funnel to 
   inflate a bubble.  Place your finger over the narrow end and observe 
   the bubble as it deflates and the water molecules are attracted to 
   one another. 
4. Take the pail of bubble solution outdoors with your "Bubble Thing" 
   to demonstrate surface tension in action. (See reference) You will 
   create some of the biggest bubbles you've ever seen. Enjoy! (If done 
   indoors, the soap may become messy as the bubbles burst.) 

Reference
Cassidy, John, The Unbelievable Bubble Book, Klutz Press, 1987.