Jodi Wheeler-Toppen - Cool Chemistry Activities for Girls

Bubble baths are fun and relaxing. They also show off the unusual chemistry of water.Use that chemistry to make a sudsy gift to share.

• liquid measuring cup
• cup (120 mL) liquid baby soap
• cup (120 mL) water
• small bowl
• spoon
• measuring spoons
• 1 tablespoon (15 mL) glycerin (available in pharmacies)
• teaspoon (1.2 mL) unsweetened powdered drink mix, any flavor
• 2 3-ounce (89-mL) shampoo bottles
• funnel
• 2 colored note cards
• hole punch
• marker, any color
• ruler
• scissors
• 2 8-inch (20-centimeter) pieces of thin ribbon

Measure the baby soap and water, and pour into a small bowl. Stir gently.

Measure the glycerin and powdered drink mix. Pour into the soap mixture and stir.

Take the lids off the bottles. Place the funnel into one of the plastic bottles.Fill the bottle with the bubble solution. Repeat with the other bottle. Put the lidson tightly.

Fold the note cards in half. Punch a hole in the top corner near the fold of eachcard.

Inside each card write the following instructions. Directions for use: Turn onthe water in your bathtub. Pour bubble bath under the running water.

Measure and cut the pieces of ribbon. Thread them through the holes in the cards.Tie one ribbon around each bottle. Give your bubbly gift to a friend or family member.Or keep a bottle for yourself for some sudsy stress relief.

Insider Info

Water molecules really know how to stick together. Youve probably seen them beadingup into water droplets on the sides of your tub. Water molecules have such a strongattraction to each other that its hard to get them to let go. This attraction iscalled cohesion. The molecular cohesion in pure water is too strong to let air inside.But the molecules in baby soap can change that. The soap molecules have one end thatattracts water and one that pushes water away. The soap loosens the waters gripjust enough to let it hold air. Then the glycerin steps in to keep the water fromevaporating very quickly. And whats air surrounded by water? A bubble!

cohesion: the act of sticking together tightly

evaporate: to change from a liquid into a vapor or a gas

Heres a sight for sore lips. Smooth this lip balm onto dry, chapped lips. And takeadvantage of the fact that oil and water dont mix.

• measuring spoons
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) grated or chopped beeswax (available at craft stores)
• 2 teaspoons (10 mL) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) honey
• small microwaveable bowl
• craft stick
• pot holders
• teaspoon (1.2 mL) peppermint extract
• empty baby food jar or lip balm tin

Measure and pour the beeswax, olive oil, and honey into a small microwaveable bowl.