Introduction: How to Make Crazy Levitating Bubbles
Another of my Halloween Demonstrations. This simple but amazing video explains how everyday bubbles can float on a magic layer of air. It all has to do with density of air and some dry ice.
Air is less dense than CO2. It is mostly N2 and the bubbles magically float of the CO2.
Music: Kevin MacLeod
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18 Comments
14 years ago on Introduction
could you do this with a little paper boat
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I've never gotten it to work with a paper boat, but it can be done with a boat made of tinfoil.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
No, the paper boat would be heavier than any gas. As he said in the paragraph under the video, this works because the regular air (nitrogen, oxygen and the rest of the mix we breathe) in the bubbles is lighter than CO2 and the soap bubble encapsulating the air isn't heavy enough to counteract this difference. You could do this with about any heavier-than-air (denser) gas, but CO2 is the easiest to obtain in the form of dry ice. Nice touch at the end dowsing the candle by pouring the CO2 on it.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
you are wrong, see my last post.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
why the hell r u attacking me?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Mabey he saw the nuclear bird and thought it was to provoke an attack? XD
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
ok. oh! what if u made a saran wrap cube.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
The Saran Wrap would still be too heavy from its thickness. What is the thickness (and resulting mass) of the soap bubbles? Compare that to any other material you might consider using to attempt this feat.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hey, just so you know, although paper MAY be too dense for this, aluminum foil would work very well. Don't forget that the net upward buoyancy force is equal to the magnitude of the weight of fluid displaced by the body. This means that if the boat can displace enough air, it can easily float. The metal in ships is far denser than the ocean around it yet they still float. I say give it a shot bigcheeze!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
ok.i'll shut my idea trap
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
you just need to find something less dense then co2, like soap bubbles, you should try that!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You are WRONG! i know that sulfer hexafluoride can hold 10 pounds! YOU ARE WRONG!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
To demonstrate your point, how would you go about making sulfur hexafluoride?
To demonstrate this compound you pointed out, I found this video:
Though they didn't say why in the video, as with CO2 you want to purge this heavier-than-air gas from your lungs if you inhale it, or you'll asphyxiate.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
you don't make it, dumbo. You buy it from a chemist's store. DUHUR!
14 years ago on Introduction
itsmanofpopsicle is right!
see this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAsOfqCy4A0
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
How bout reading the description:
sulfur hexafluoride is more dense then the surrounding air
It doesn't even mention co2...
14 years ago on Introduction
nice, have you tried it with one of those bubble machines?
14 years ago on Introduction
it looks like a party in there