Art | Hands-On Learning | Science | Sensory
Microwave Soap Science Experiment
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We did a REALLY fun science experiment this week with just a bar of ivory soap and a microwave. This microwave soap science experiment is fast, easy and exciting for everyone!
How to do the Microwave Soap Science Experiment:
To do this fun microwave soap experiment, all you need is a bar of soap and a microwave!
This is most often called the ivory soap experiment, because ivory brand tends to work best.
 I found that you can use ivory soap or zest soap, just the standard bar soap you use in the shower.  We used zest soap for ours.Â
You could test out different variables and try a few brands, though!
Prep for it by taking it out of its packaging, and placing it on a paper towel to prevent any messes in the microwave. Â You can also place it in a microwave-safe bowl or plate.
Next, you put the bar of soap into the microwave for about a minute and a half. Â Be sure to watch it because it through the window because will grow, and grow, and grow, into a GIANT SOAP MONSTER (as my kids called it).
It’s pretty incredible to watch it and see what happens! Â This was our first time and we were quite surprised with how large it got! Â It is a giant foamy mass.
**Make sure not to touch them until they cool. They can get quite hot.
We did a few bars of soap so each of them could have their own! Â They each made distinct shapes. This is such a fun hands-on experience for young kids.
What’s Happening? Â The Science Behind the Soap Experiment:
The soap mixture in the bar expands because as it heats, the water molecules in it heat up, too. Â This is called the expanding effect.
It goes through a phase change from a liquid to a vapor causing air bubbles to form. The temperature of the gas increases and expands the soap. Â The appearance of the soap completely changes!
This is similar to what happens with popcorn kernels as they expand and pop with the heat. It is called Charles’ Law and talks about how gases tend to expand when heated.
The kids wanted to do something more with their soap science experiments! Â They had crazy shapes and they were identifying what they looked out. It kind of reminded me of looking at shapes in the clouds- you can turn them in all directions and see new things.
We think they came out looking like dragons.
Just for fun, they painted them after they cooled down. They made them look like the dragons they were envisioning!
This is such a simple way to experiment and learn about expanding gas. Try it out!
cool! we’ll have to give this a try, thanks for linking up to the Brag Time Thursday! I voted for you too btw 😀
That is neat! Thanks for linking-up with Brag Time Thursday! 🙂
This is waaaaaaay cool & creative! We are so trying this. I pinned it & shared it with my readers on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Life-Intentionally/261252997248957
Thanks for linking up to TGIF & I look forward to seeing what you post next!!
Beth =-)
This is awesome…..what a fab idea! I must give this a try with the kiddies! Thanks 🙂
I love this idea! I pinned it so I can remember it.
Wow! Awesome! My daughter isn’t old enough,but I wanna try this. I wonder what hubby would say if he found a soap like that in the shower?? Can you use it after?
This is a really good idea. Looks like so much fun. following you from Mom Loop. Hope you follow me back 😉
MiaB http://www.heart2heart-miab.blogspot.com
Fun! We’ll be trying this.
I’ve seen the exploding soap before, but have never seen someone then make it into a monster. I love that follow on!
Thank you for linking up to Science Sunday!