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The Height of the Soap Bubbles

published on: 11/20/2008

Contributing Teacher(s): Lisa Stevenson,

Subject Area: Science/Integrated,

Grade Range: Middle Grades (6-8)

Materials Needed:

• Three beakers or cups for each group
• Tape
• Syringe (often found in air pressure kits)
• Water
• 3 different brands of dish soap
• Rulers
• 3 straws

Objective:

1. The students will be able to make two qualitative and two quantitative statements.
2. After conducting the investigation, the students will graph the data and write a concluding statement.

GLE's addressed: Strand 7.1.B.7.a, b,c, d, e Strand 7.1.C.7.a Strand 7.1.E.7. graphs: bar

Essential Question:

Instructional Strategy: Infer, Predict, and Find Evidence

Process Standards: Goal 1.8 organize data, information and ideas into useful forms (including charts, graphs, outlines)

Content Standards: SC7,

G.L.E.:

Time Allowance: 1-50 minute class period

Technological Resources:

Extensions:

1. After completing the lab investigation, students can create their own investigations with questions that arouse from this lab.
2. This could include does temperature make a difference in the height of the bubble column, etc.

Integration:

Differentiation:

Assessment:

Description: This inquiry lesson is designed to use as a review of the scienctific method, quantitative and qualitative processes, graphing, and making conclusions.

Comments:

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Classroom Component:

1. Divide the class into groups of 3. Pass out lab sheet (at the end of this document). Discuss objective and lab procedures.
2. Have students to collect the tray of supplies: 3 beakers/cups, pitcher of water, 3 different dish soaps in medicine cups, 3 straws, tape, 3 syringes, and a ruler.
3. Pour a set amount of water into the beaker/cup. Pour the soap into the beaker/cup.
4. Tape a straw to the tip of the syringe. Try to make sure that there is no air escaping through the tape. We use this method to insure the same amount of air is being placed into the water/soap mixture (this is a good time to discuss the importance of constants in an investigation.)
5. Pull the syringe handle to the top position allowing for the maximum amount of air in the syringe.
6. Place the straw/syringe apparatus into the water/soap mixture. Push the air into the mix. Take the syringe out and repeat 14 times, allowing bubbles to form on the top of the mixture.
7. Have students record 2 qualitative and 2quantitative observations.
8. Have students to graph the information.
9. Have students compare observations to form a reasonable conclusion on which soap creates more bubbles. They must record this conclusion of their paper.

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Height of the Bubbles Lab Investigation

Name: _________________________________Hour: __________________

Objective of the lab:

1. Record the data from the lab
2. Record 2 qualitative and 2quantitative observations
3. Graph the data.
4. Write a conclusion statement using your evidence from the lab.

Brand of Soap	Height of the bubble column in mm

Qualitative observations:

1.

2.

Quantitative observations:

1.

2.

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Graph:

Conclusion statement:

1.

 

 

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