Bubble Raft

Small bubbles are attracted to each other to form a close-packed array, just like metal atoms.

• QuickTime animation of the operation of the bubble raft.

• The bubble raft is a device designed to illustrate the packing of atoms and defects found in metals.

• A variable voltage is applied to an aquarium pump to produce small bubbles in a soap solution.

• A fan (or demonstrator) blows the bubbles to the end of the raft.

• As the bubbles collect at the opposite end of the raft, they pack in a close-packed arrangement.

• Numerous defects appear.

• These close-packed bubbles resemble the close-packed arrays of atoms in metals.