It’s one of the most memorable scenes from Finding Nemo. We also love bubbles at Steve Spangler Science. The science of bubbles is as fascinating as bubbles are engaging.
First, start with a good bubble solution. The secrets behind great bubbles are dish soap and glycerin. Just don’t use the antibacterial dish soap. Dawn works the best.
Glycerin is the true secret to the best bubbles because it keeps the bubble hydrated. A bubble will pop in the air because the water evaporates. The glycerin will hold onto that water and extend the life of the bubble. But don’t let it touch your skin. Oil and dirt are the enemies of bubbles.
The best bubble blower is a pipette with the end cut off. Just remember to blow through the pipette and not suck.
Q: Tell us a little about who you are…
A: I am a wife of 46 years, mother of three, and grandmother of eight. And . . . I happen to be Steve’s mother-in-law so there are lots of stories I can tell you about him!! I can still very vividly remember Steve and our daughter, Renée, sitting at our kitchen table discussing whether or not they should take the risk and start this business.
Q: What do you do at Steve Spangler Science?
A: I have worked with the company since its beginning and have worn many different hats. I have been on many product assembly lines, rolled thousands of Wind Bags and Solar Bags, unloaded millions of pipettes into our shed, and sewn hundreds of strips of cloth for one of Steve’s tricks, just to mention a few. In 1997, I became the Shipping Manager (out of our basement!), all while working nights as an RN two or three times a week at a nearby hospital. In April of 2001, I departed from my job at the hospital to become the full-time
Is it mind control or just a clever science trick? It’s a classic science experiment using an eye-dropper, a soda bottle filled with water, and some great showmanship. Explore the science and physics of Cartesian divers while amazing your friends with your telekinetic powers.
This experiment is named after Ren Descartes (1596-1650), a French scientist and mathematician who used the diver to demonstrate gas laws and buoyancy.
Hold your Cartesian diver bottle with one hand and squeeze and release. The diver sinks and floats based on the pressure (if you are squeezing) or decreased pressure (when you release) when holding the bottle of water. Increased pressure forces water up into the diver, compressing the air at the top. The increased mass of the diver will cause it to sink. Releasing the squeeze decreased the pressure on the air at the top of the eyedropper, and the
