How freezing a soap bubble turns it into a ‘snow globe’

Differences in surface tension create currents in soapy films that move ice crystals around

soap bubble

THIN ICE  A patchwork of ice crystals swirls across the surface of a soap bubble as it freezes. The glittery display is caused by a mismatch in surface tension in different regions of the soapy film.

F. Ahmadi, C. Kingett and J. Boreyko

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Frigid air can transform an ordinary soap bubble into a glittery “snow globe.”