Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!tikal!amc!warren
From: warren@amc.UUCP (Warren Omohundro)
Newsgroups: sci.misc
Subject: Soap Bubbles
Message-ID: <631@amc.UUCP>
Date: 7 Apr 88 15:27:41 GMT
Reply-To: warren@amc.UUCP (Warren Omohundro)
Distribution: na
Organization: Applied Microsystems Corp., Redmond, WA.
Lines: 13

In an attempt to put the 'misc' back in 'sci.misc', I have an "ASK MR. 
SCIENCE" type of question.

My family consumes a fair quantity of milk every week, and as a
consequence, we are left with a number of those disgusting, gallon,
plastic jugs.  To salve our recycling conscience, the jugs are washed
out and used for other things.  (anybody want a bird feeder?)  Washing
the jugs consists of putting a small amount of detergent water into
the jug, covering the mouth of the jug with a hand, and shaking
vigorously.  When you uncover the mouth of the jug, there is a noticable
release in pressure.  My question: Where does the extra air pressure come 
from?  It must have something to do with the formation of the soap
bubbles, since repeating the procedure with plain water generates no
extra pressure.  So what is going on?