Experiment 2

Which produces more suds in your water, soap or detergent?

Picture of sudsMaterials:

Soap powder

Detergent powder

Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)

Measuring spoons

Small jars or test tubes (all the same size)

Instructions

1.    Fill the jars half full of water.

2.    Add 1/4 tsp. soap to one jar.

3.    Add 1/4 tsp. detergent to the other jar

4.    Cover jars and shake hard

Which produces more suds?

OTHER IDEAS TO EXPLORE:

Make the water “chemically hard” by adding 1/4 tsp. Epsom salts to the jars. Cover and shake again. Now which is better?