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How to Blow Bubbles in Glass Tubing

The art of glass blowing involves softening glass prior to shaping it. To demonstrate glass blowing, blow a bubble in the end of a piece of glass tubing in a science lab at your school or civic center. A Bunsen burner will be needed, as will a few tools that some homes may already have, but can be acquired from a hardware store.

Things You'll Need

Insulating gloves
Protective eye wear
Bunsen burner
3-foot glass tube, 1/8th-inch diameter

Instructions

- 1
  Put on the insulating gloves and protective eye wear. Rotate the valve on the Bunsen burner two turns clockwise to release the gas. Ignite the gas at the top of the Bunsen burner, using a fire starter.
- 2
  Grip one end of the glass tube. Hold the other end of the tube in the flame from the Bunsen burner. Let the end of the glass tube melt before continuing.
- 3
  Remove the tube from the flame. Blow slowly and steadily into the other end of the glass tube, while rotating it clockwise, to form a bubble at the end that has been heated. Stop blowing once a bubble has been formed.
- 4
  Place the tube on an insulated work surface so that it can cool off. Turn the valve counterclockwise to shut off the gas.

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