Have you ever wondered about the best way to learn something new? It’s by asking questions! Nobody knows everything, so if you come across something you don’t understand, just ask someone who might know the answer. This idea came to mind because of our friend, the giant squid.
A while ago, we talked about why things float in water. Our squid friend lives in the ocean and doesn’t take baths, so he was curious about what baths are and why we take them. Up here on land, we clean ourselves by soaking in a tub full of warm, soapy water. It might sound strange, but it’s how we get clean!
One of our viewers, Zoe, had a great question: How do baths work, and how do soap and water get us clean? Let’s find out!
Water is excellent at dissolving many things. When water dissolves something, it breaks it down into smaller pieces that mix with the water. For example, when you rinse muddy hands under a faucet, the water pushes the mud off and dissolves some of the stuff in the mud, washing it down the drain. Cool, right?
Before we dive into how baths work, let’s see how we get dirty. Our skin makes its own oil to stay soft and healthy. We also sweat, which is mostly salt and water. When sweat dries, it cools us down but leaves salt behind. Throughout the day, dirt and dust stick to this salt and oil. If we don’t wash it off, it becomes a good place for bacteria and other tiny living things. So, it’s important to wash often!
When you get in the tub, water dissolves the salt and a lot of the dirt on your skin. But water can’t dissolve oil because oil and water don’t mix. You can see this if you pour water and cooking oil into a glass—they form two separate layers. Water particles stick together tightly, while oil particles are bigger and don’t stick as well.
So, how do we get oil off our skin? That’s where soap comes in! Soap can’t dissolve oil, but it can stick to it and help wash it away. Soap particles have two ends: one is attracted to water, and the other to oil. When you mix soap with oil and water, one end of the soap sticks to the oil, and the other end sticks to the water. When you rinse off, the soap, oil, and water all go down the drain together.
Now you know how water and soap work together to get us squeaky clean in the tub! If you see the giant squid, you can explain it to him too. Thanks for all the great questions! If you have more questions, feel free to send them to us at kidscyshow.com. See you next time!
Soap and Oil Experiment: Try a simple experiment to see how soap works. Take a clear glass of water and add a few drops of cooking oil. Notice how the oil floats on top. Now, add a drop of dish soap and stir gently. Watch what happens to the oil. Can you see how the soap helps mix the oil with the water? Talk about what you observe with a friend or family member.
Bath Time Detective: The next time you take a bath or shower, be a detective! Notice how your skin feels before and after using soap. Can you feel the difference? Try to describe it. Think about how the soap helps remove dirt and oil. Share your findings with someone at home.
Question Time: Think of a question you have about something you do every day, like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. Why do you think it’s important? Ask an adult or look for answers in a book or online. Share what you learn with your class or family. Remember, asking questions is a great way to learn!
