Have you ever noticed bubbles or balloons float in the sky? Or maybe that air bubble in your ice cube? All of these things have to do with one thing: the properties of different gases.
If you’ve ever been outside with bubbles, you know that they float around pretty easily. Why? Because the bubble is filled with CO2, or carbon dioxide, a light-enough material to be blown around by the wind. Same goes with helium balloons. Like some things float in water while other things sink, in the air, balloons float and we sink. Likewise, since the helium is “trapped” in the balloon and is lighter than air, it floats up due to the higher buoyant force pushing it up. Actually, that is how things in water can also sink and float.
But why do ice cubes have air bubbles? The amazing thing is that some don’t, and some do. The reason is because of the speed of the freeze. If the freeze is slow, there is not much chance of air bubbles because the air is all above the liquid. But if the freeze is fast, there is a higher chance of air bubbles because they water might “trap” some air and therefore, creating an air bubble inside the ice cube.
In liquids air bubbles are created by carbon dioxide being lighter and hotter than the liquid itself, so the bubble floats to the top of the liquid and a bubble forms with carbon dioxide.
The amazing property of different kinds of gases make up some of the many great spectacles of science. Air bubbles are one of these some. Remember to look for different marvels in real life. Remember to be mystified!
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