Why do soap bubbles pop

In this demonstration students learn what causes bubbles to pop and what they can do to increase the longevity of their bubbles. It will pop when that water is lost in some way. There are a few different ways that a bubble can lose its water and pop:. Use their knowledge of soap films and minimal surface structures to make bubbles of various sizes, shapes, and arrangements. When does a bubble pop? Why does a bubble pop when you touch it with dry hands? Why does it pop when it hits the floor?

Why does the bubble not pop when you touch it with wet hands? Would the bubble pop if you wet your hands with plain water instead of soapy water? Oct 21, Physics of giant bubbles bursts secret of fluid mechanics Jan 30, Feb 08, Jan 09, Recommended for you. First observation of an inhomogeneous electron charge distribution on an atom Nov 11, Nuclear radiation used to transmit digital data wirelessly Nov 10, Nov 10, Load comments 1.

Let us know if there is a problem with our content. Your message to the editors. Your email only if you want to be contacted back. Send Feedback. Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. E-mail the story Measuring the sound of a soap bubble popping. Your friend's email. Your email. I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter.

From the Nature Index Paid Content. Log in Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions. You can read this article for free. Subscribe opens in new window I'm already a subscriber. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by e-mail. By Emily Conover April 1, at am. The team shared its findings February 28 in Physical Review Letters. A bursting soap bubble bursts makes a slight pop.

That sound comes from changes in pressure that the film of the bubble puts on air inside it. In this graphic, the film begins to split at the top, releasing a wave of higher pressure above orange and purple and lower pressure blue below.

The pressure eventually returns to normal. At the end, the bubble is gone and only a thin tendril of soap film remains.