Light travels in straight lines from its source. While it looks white to our eyes, light is made up of a whole spectrum of colours. Our eyes can see only a small portion of the entire spectrum. We see light as Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and violet (Roy G. Biv).

When light rays move from one transparent medium to another (Air and Water), some rays go through, and some rays bounce back. The light rays that go through bend at the point where the air meets the water. When light bends it is called refraction.

Refraction is what causes soap bubbles to be coloured. The bubbles are transparent and let light rays enter and bend. The more the light ray bends, the more blue from the spectrum will become visible to the human eye. Smaller bends make the red parts of the spectrum visible. In effect, the surface of the bubbles acts like a prism (Sir Isaac Newton experiments) that separates the various light rays into their individual wavelengths, which look like colours to us.


more photos are in the gallery

How to create your own Big Bubble Mix

Ingredients

  • 1L of warm water
  • 30ml of glycerine – Coles or at the Chemist (or sugar – 4 teaspoons)
  • 250ml quality dishwashing liquid (Morning Fresh works well)

Step 1
Mix the ingredients very thoroughly,  around 15 – 20 minutes. If using sugar just mix it and the warm water and then add the dishwashing liquid once the sugar is dissolved. Sugar does not work as well as glycerine.

Step 2
Once you have thoroughly mixed the ingredients leave it over night to gel.

Step 3
Once the mix has set you can then use a portion and store the rest in a airtight container.

Hints and Tips

  • Create a wand with two sticks and some shoe lace type string, wool or tear up and old shirt into long strips. Tie the string to the sticks so you have a complete circle.

  • Bubble mix gets better with age. With time, some water may evaporate from the bubble mix and it may need more water added.
  • Humidity can seriously affect your bubbles. Bubbles burst when they dry out, so the more humid it is the longer they last. Bubbles work best at night, in the shade and while it is raining. Air conditioners can dry the air which bursts bubbles faster.
  • The quality of the tap water in your area may also affect your bubble mixture. Hard water doesn’t work as well as soft water. You may need to try distilled water instead of tap water.
  • You may need to “fine-tune” your bubble mix, either by adding more detergent or more water. Experiment a little. Remember to stir thoroughly.
  • Froth on the top can interfere with making bubbles.

Can you make a bubble as big as this?