This past semester I was able to complete a hands on activity with my class. For this project I decided to show how a bubble takes on the smallest surface area. Due to the force acting on the molecules in the bubble they form to the smallest surface area to strengthen the bubble. A sphere has a smaller surface are then a cube, or triangular prism or even a rectangular prism. If a bubble formed in the shape of a square what would be pulling on the corners to make them into corners? In order to get a bubble to take on the shape of a cube we must make a cube out of pipe cleaners. I found that buying bubbles and adding corn syrup to make the bubbles slightly stronger. Then dip the cube into the bubble solution. Pull out the cube and move it around a bit until you get a square in the middle. The take a straw, dip it in the bubbles and try to blow air into the square in the middle of the cube. This will fill the square in the center with air creating a square bubble!
If you look closely at the second picture you an see that there is air added to the square in the center creating a square bubble.
Here is the POWERPOINT I used that also has a few more pictures for you to look at.
A worksheet that goes along with this is HERE. I found this to be a great extension activity for surface area, and although i did not have enough time you can further discuss volume with it.
Here is the POWERPOINT I used that also has a few more pictures for you to look at.
A worksheet that goes along with this is HERE. I found this to be a great extension activity for surface area, and although i did not have enough time you can further discuss volume with it.