Now I know, this may seem extremely insignificant in the grand scheme of inspirational scientific questions, but according to HowStuffWorks this is a scientific question in which we (yes, you too) should have an answer.
Behold, I have not even the slightest clue as to why bubbles are round/spherical shaped. While they aren’t perfectly shaped every try, they do look smooth as glass and glossy. Now that my curiosity is piqued, here is the reasoning behind the perfectly chiseled, yet light as air shape of the enigmatic bubble. Bubbles are composed of firmly packed layers of thin liquid that form a fancy scientific cohesion. Which basically means the molecules of the liquid are really attracted to themselves, packing tightly together. Thus, surface tension or the “cohesive molecules between liquid molecules” is formed to trap the air molecules used to blow the bubble in the first place. Comparable to balloons, the air trapped within the liquid surface tension paired with the air surrounding the bubble, mesh together to provide the enjoyable outdoor soap bubbles.
While bubbles were particularly fun to our childhood selves, scientists can now manipulate bubble shapes to study “geometry of surfaces.” Who knew that something as playful as the soap bubble would benefit the world of science?
Photo courtesy of cnx.org
I think it may have something to do with the circle being the most efficient geometric shape in terms of surface area to volume.
http://mathforum.org/sanders/geometry/GP17Circle.html
I love bubbles! As a kid I would always play with them, trying to catch or pop them before they found their way to the ground. I never thought about their make up, or how they’re able to come out perfect every time, but this post gave me insight on that, so thanks! Since you share a genuine passion for bubbles, I think you’d like some of these simple science experiments that deal with bubbles.
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/bubbles/a/1505/