If I measure different bubble mixtures, then the bubbles from the giant bubble mixture will last the longest because it is the only mixture that contains glycerin.

In my background research, I found that glycerin mixes with the soap therefore making bonds with water molecules (references 1-4). The newly formed bonds then slow the evaporation of the bubble making them last longer. The solution has glycerin and cornstarch as well as baking powder. When I was forming my conclusion I researched that water has very high surface tension, too high to form a bubble. When you add soap, it decreases the tension allowing the bubble to form. If glycerin is added it decreases the surface tension even more allowing even stronger bubbles. Cornstarch increases elasticity (references 1-4).

Controlled Variables

• Location/environment  each time
• Size and shape of bubble wand
• Water to soap ratio for each solution

• Amount of time between finishing making the solution and testing the bubbles

  Independent variable: * Type of  bubble solution

  Dependent variable: * length of time the bubble lasts

Procedure

1. I made all the bubble mixtures
2. I waited 75-90 minutes and then started to test
3. I timed the amount of time the each bubble lasted
4. I wrote the bubble duration times in my log-book as well as well as other observations

Observations from Trial #1: In Trial #1 dawn dish soap formed a larger bubble very easily all though it was not and stable or long lasting usually popping before it hit the ground. Soft soap, was harder to form a bubble with but stable much more stable than dawn dish soap when formed.  Both giant bubble recipe and soft soap usually floated to ground before popping, but the Giant bubble recipe floated much more slowly probably because it was lighter. Shampoo was extremely rare to form bubble it floated to ground moderately quickly when it make a bubble.

Observations from Trial #2: In Trial #2 no bubble lasted very long except for giant bubble recipe. Overall Dawn dish soap preformed the second best in this trial next to the Giant Bubble Recipe. Although the bubbles were not stable, they formed easily. Shampoo preformed horribly, never forming a bubble. Soft soap also didn’t perform very well, making only bubble that evaporated quickly, popping before hitting the ground. Overall the giant bubble recipe made the longest lasting bubble by a long shot, often floating to the ground.

Observations from Trial #3: In Trial #3 all of the bubble solutions lasted longer than any other trials. Despite the other trials dawn dish soap floated to the ground before popping. This mixture was the only mixture that didn’t form all five bubbles, although the bubbles from the Dawn dish soap still lasted the second longest, next to the Giant Bubble recipe. Shampoo did way better than previously forming a bubble every time, although they weren't stable. Soft soap also did quite well, the bubbles were stable and floated to the ground slowly. The Giant bubble recipe performed amazingly, lasting the longest out of all the experiments. Not only did the bubbles float to the ground slowly but two times the bubbles went to the ground and stayed there and bounced a bit before popping,one of them lasting nearly 10 seconds!

General Observations: Even from the first trial I was almost certain that the Giant Bubble Recipe would form the longest lasting bubble. I also was certain that shampoo would not form long lasting bubbles. The Giant Bubble Recipe was the strongest, sturdiest, and the only one that didn't pop immediately after touching the ground.

Data

These are the results from my experiment:

After I completed all three trials, it was quite obvious that the Giant Bubble Recipe made the longest lasting bubbles. But I needed to know why, by figuring out which ingredient inside of it made the biggest difference. To do that I did one experiment with dawn dish soap mixed with one of the ingredients from the recipe. I had Dawn Dish soap mixed with water and cornstarch, Dawn Dish soap mixed with water and glycerin and I had Dawn Dish soap mixed with water and cornstarch. These are the results: After that experiment I could see that the solution with the glycerin made the most difference.

In conclusion, the giant bubble recipe lasted the longest, because it has glycerin and cornstarch as well as baking powder. Water has very high surface tension, too high to form a bubble. When you add soap, it decreases the tension allowing the bubble to form. If glycerin is added it decreases the surface tension even more allowing even stronger bubbles. Cornstarch increases elasticity (stretchiness), delaying the bubble from popping. So if you ever want to make bubble don´t forget the glycerin, cornstarch or Dawn dish soap!

In this project I learned that the length of time the bubble lasts, and how consistently it forms a bubble, is very dependent on the type of soap and ingredient(s) in the solution. These results could be used in our everyday (summer) lives, if you want to make bubbles yourself, or by industry. Companies can use this is information to enhance their products such as bubble solutions. If a company has longer lasting bubbles it will satisfy the kids for longer therefore wasting less valuable water and soap, for a better environmental impact.

One of my sources of error was that, in my first trial I was supposed to test each solution 5 times, but I accidentally tested it six times, therefore elevating the mean of all three trials.

References

1. Erica, & Erica. (2021, December 6). Bubble solution for giant bubbles. Rosie Research. https://rosieresearch.com/bubble-solution-giant-bubbles/ found December 19, 2025 (Information for why the cornstarch makes the bubbles last longer)

2. Only Passionate Curiosity.  (2024, June 25). Bubble recipe and the science behind bubbles. https://onlypassionatecuriosity.com/bubble-recipe-and-science-behind-bubbles/ Nov 26 (Information for how long I should wait after making the bubble mixtures to testing them)

3. Currie, J. (2020, April 10). How to Make Homemade Giant Bubbles that will Blow your Mind. Happy Hooligans. https://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-giant-bubbles/

4. Buddies, S. (2024, February 20). Blow the best bubbles. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-best-bubbles/ Found Nov 17 (Background information for Hypothesis)

I would like to acknowledge Mme Melissa Ross for organizing our school science fair, giving us an opportunity to take part in CYSF. I would also like to acknowledge my parents for supporting me in this project, as well as helping me to time the bubbles.