Colored Bubbles

Concept: Refraction
Refraction is the bending of a wave, such as a light or sound wave, as it passes from one medium into another of different optical density. 

Read Aloud: Cool Chemistry Concoctions by Joe Rhatigan

Ingredients:

      ·         3 tsp. Powdered Tempera Paint

      ·         1½ tbl. Water

      ·         Liquid Dish Soap

      ·         Straws

      ·         Paper

Demonstration:

      ·         Pour 3 teaspoons of powered tempera paint into the cup.
      ·         Pour 1½ tablespoons of water into the cup.

      ·         Add 1 drop of liquid dish soap to the cup.

      ·         Mix all the ingredients together.

      ·         Put a straw into the mixture and blow bubbles until the cup overflows.

      ·         Carefully lay paper on top of the bubbles to make prints.

Experiment:

·         Are all the bubbles spheres?

·         Are the bubbles all uniform in size?

Observations:
Similar to the way we perceive the colors in a rainbow, we see the colors in a bubble through the reflection and the refraction of light waves off the inner and outer surfaces of the bubble wall. The bubble itself is not colored, but reflects color from its surroundings. The water in the bubble holds the paint while the bubbles remain clear.