Charles' Law states that gases increase in volume when heated. The best way to illustrate this law is to stuff some Ivory soap into the microwave. It really only works with Ivory soap as this is the only soap that has so much air whipped into it. Any other soap would just melt. Which is how I ended up carrying Ivory from the US to Moldova. Seeing the delight of my boys made it totally worth it, though.
1. Start with a bar of Ivory Soap. Read the little adage. (True, natural beauty is in the simple things.) Ponder your life and all those wrinkles in your face.
2. Have one of your kids unwrap the bar. Challenge him not to rip the paper. He will rip it. (You can make fun of him, if you want.)
3. Naked Ivory. Use a microwave-safe dish.
4. Place in microwave. It's better not to use an itty-bitty small European microwave. That was your public service anouncement of the day.
5. Have the kids get a healthy dose of microwaves when they press their noses against the microwave door. Also, put a sharp knife in a precarious position. You cannot ever have too many dangers in your kids' lifes.
6. Watch and be amazed.
7. Take out and admire.
8. Break off a piece. Does it feel different? Will it still clean or will it be totally gross?
9. You can wash your hands just like with soap! That's because it's a physial change, not a chemical one.
10. Keep the bloated Ivory by the sink. You are a friend of the Earth and not a trash monster.
11. Send the kids outside and relax with a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. This step is optional but you know, I live for this step. But that's just me.
That is a very cool experiment. You can also take a balloon and hold it so that it is partially submerged in a large bowl of ice water and watch it shrink. But that probably isn't as much fun as soap in the microwave!
Posted by: Christine | October 24, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Glad to know the final disposition of the Ivory soap. I will have to try this experiment here.
Posted by: neurondoc | October 26, 2011 at 08:14 PM