Experiment 24

Objective

To demonstrate how heating water inside a bar of Ivory soap causes it to expand, creating a unique and fun visual effect.

Introduction

Ivory soap, unlike other soaps, floats due to the air whipped into it during manufacturing. This property contributes to its ability to expand when heated in a microwave. The heat causes water trapped within the soap to vaporize, leading to the formation and expansion of air pockets. This experiment primarily serves as a fun, hands-on activity with an interesting visual outcome, rather than a formal chemical analysis.

Materials

·       Bar of Ivory brand soap (other soaps may not work)

·       Paper towel

·       Bowl

·       Water

·       Microwave-safe plate

·       Microwave

Procedure

1.    Prepare Water Bath

o   Fill a bowl with water to about two-thirds full.

2.    Float Test

o   Place the bar of Ivory soap in the water. Observe how it floats due to the air whipped into it during production.

3.    Drying the Soap

o   Place a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate.

o   Remove the soap from the water after a few minutes and place it on the prepared plate. Allow it to dry for approximately 5 minutes for optimal results.

4.    Heating in the Microwave

o   Place the plate with the soap in the center of the microwave.

o   Heat on HIGH for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Observe the soap as it begins to expand, creating puffy white clouds.

5.    Cooling and Final Observation

o   Allow the soap to cool in the microwave for a couple of minutes after heating is complete.

o   Remove the plate and observe the expanded soap, which has increased significantly in size.

As the soap heats, the water within vaporizes, creating tiny bubbles and expanding air pockets. This results in a large, puffy white cloud of soap due to the expansion of these bubbles.

Observation

As the soap heats, the water within vaporizes, creating tiny bubbles and expanding air pockets. This results in a large, puffy white cloud of soap due to the expansion of these bubbles.

Questions

1.    How does the expanded cloud of soap feel to the touch? Is it soft and silky or rough and hard?

2.    What does the expanded soap remind you of?

3.    How does the soap cloud feel after a day of being left out to dry?