Experiment of the Month

Magnetic Bubbles

You can create your very own pet bubble that will follow you around just like your pet dog. With a little practice, youýll be able to have a bubble follow you through out the house.

Materials:

1. 1 balloon
2. 1 bottle of bubble solution with blower
3. 2 kids

Procedure:

1. Inflate the balloon and rub the balloon on the head of a lab partner or on a wool sweater in order to build up a static electricity charge.
2. Have a partner blow a nice, big bubble.
3. As the bubble begins to fall, bring your charged balloon near the bubble. As soon as the bubble begins to move toward the balloon, move the balloon further away so that the bubble doesnýt touch the balloon.

What's happening?

Static electricity on the balloon is made up of electrons. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. Bubbles are made of stretched out water molecules. Water molecules are positive charge. When you bring the negatively charge balloon near the positively charged bubble, the bubble is attracted towards the balloon. Don't forget to give your new pet a name!