Australia's Science Forum

I have to make 8 litres of Bubble mix. Hopfully we will be able to trap a student in a bubble. I would like to know what the best ratio of detergent to glycerine is for this and how much water should be added.

from Rhonda W

Hi

The following bubble mixture is from the http://www.trg.wa.edu.au/solution/probsoln.htm
site.

Recipe 1 (for general large bubbles)

. 1 part DAWN dishwashing liqid
. 15 parts de-ionised water

Recipe 2 (for longer lasting bubbles)

. same as recipe 1 but add
. 2 parts glycerine

Recipe 3 (for bouncing bubbles)

. 100g gelatine powder
. 1 litre hot water
. 70ml glycerine
. 50ml DAWN dishwashing liquid

(The solution will need to be reheated before using).

All mixtures benefit from the addition of some "toy store" bubble mixture - up to 1 container of bubble mixture in 15 litres of made-up solution but quantities may be varied with experimentation.

All recipes courtesy Andrew Suttar, Bubblemania

Hope this helps

Hi Rhonda

The following was demonstrated at last year's St Marys Conference. It worked really well.

Mix 2/3 of a 100ml bottle of glycerine (available at woolworths), 4 to 5 buckets of water and 1 x 900ml bottle of morning fresh detergent. A small plastic kids' shell shaped swimming pool/sand box was used. Apparently it's better mixed the day before and left overnight. They used a plastic hula hoop. Stand in the water (carefully - it's slippery!) have a second person slowly lift the hoop. The bubble lifts with it and surrounds you. Make sure the hoop is totally coated in the soapy solution and the second person's hands are thoroughly coated too. The students should be suitably impressed!

Good luck!

Julie