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What Ratios of Different Materials will Result in the Best Bath Bomb?

Jessika Farias, Nicole Garcia, & Vanessa Barahona

11 December, 2015

Mrs. Stotts

Period 3

Hypothesis:
If the relationship between acids and bases is taken into consideration ,we believe that

due to the basic PH within the baking soda, the second bath bomb will have the most desirable
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effects in fizzling, gaseous scents/aroma released, and the shortest amount of dissolve time. The

first and original will be the second most effective followed by the third combination due to the

high amount of neutralizing ingredients like cream of tartar that counteract the chemical reaction

between acids and bases.

Materials:
3 cups of baking soda
1 cups of cream of tartar
1 cups of epsom salt
1 cups of cornstarch
30 mL of essential oils fragrance
9 tablespoons of coconut oil
12 tablespoons of water
Food coloring
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Muffin Pan
3 Rubber Bands
3 cups
3 ziploc bags
Timer
Procedure:
1. Collect all materials listed above.
2. For the first (control) bath bomb solution mix 1 cup of baking soda, cup of
cream of tartar, cup of epsom salt, and a cup of cornstarch into a mixing bowl
3. Slowly stir in 25 drops of essential oil, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 4 tablespoons
of water, and 20 drops of food coloring.
4. Whisk until all contents are spread thoroughly
5. Gather handfuls and pack tightly into muffin pan
6. Follow step 2 again changing the amount of baking soda to 2 cups and cream of
tartar to using a different food dye
7. Repeat steps 3 through 5
8. Follow step 2 again changing the amount of baking soda to cup and cream of
tartar to 1 cup using a different food dye
9. Repeat steps 3 through 5
10. Put muffin pan into freezer for ten minutes
11. Tap the back of the pan to allow hardened bath bomb to fall out.
12. Place each bath bomb into separate baggie and fill each cup halfway with water
13. Place rubber band around cup and ziploc bag containing bath bomb. DO NOT
allow bath bomb to react in water until all samples are ready.
14. When all bath bombs are ready start timer and allow bath bomb to dissolve
15. Record amount of gases released in the time recorded. how long it took each to
dissolve completely.
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Abstract:

Our main goal to conduct this experiment was to compare and contrast our bath bomb

batches to simulate what a cosmetic manufacturer might do to test out products fit for mass

production. Of course what we did was a small scale experiment that didn't include variables like

completely different batches, the rate fragrance is released or possible harm/benefits on the skin.

What we did test was the rate at which gas is produced, as well as, the rate at which a bath bomb

completely dissolves. This was done by making different batches of bath bombs using one

control batch and two other batches deviating from the original recipe. The original recipe was

gotten off ehow.com (full url is in work cited); the recipe was then edited to our needs. For the

other batches most ratios stayed the same but the second and third batches were scaled down in

order to stretch the ingredients we bought. It was then decided the only variables we wanted to

manipulate was the amount of baking soda (our base) to cream of tartar (our acid). It was done to

more accurately assess the effects the different ratios between the basic and acidic ingredients.

Upon testing the bath bombs and viewing the data collected, it was decided our hypothesis was

proven or at least correct in this instance.

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Data Collection:

Bath Bomb Added Substance Avg. Dissolve Gas Released

Mixture Time
Original *blue* None 6 minutes 20 bag full after
seconds entire bath bomb
dissolved

Test Subject #1 1 cup more of 4 minutes 37 bag remained

*pink* baking soda seconds unfull
cup less cream
of tartar
Test Subject #2 cup more cream 6 minutes 40 bag full halfway
*green* of tartar seconds through dissolving
cup less of of bath bomb
baking soda

Data Analysis:
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Conclusion:

As stated before, it seems our hypothesis was correct. This experiment was meant to find

what ratios of an acid to base, or visa versa, produced a more favorable bath bomb. What we

conducted was small scale product testing much like what real world cosmetic manufacturers

would do to test what product hit the assembly line. Though it was a recreation, we were limited

to the resources available. Not all variables could be tested, like the amount of fragrance release
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or harms/benefits to the skin,so we limited ourselves to only testing two variables that can be

manipulated.

A control batch was made using a recipe on ehow.com (full url in description), with no

alterations. Two other bath bomb batches were made; both scaled down but still at the same

ratios. After, the amount of cream of tartar (acidic) to the baking soda (base) were changed in

both batches. The pink batch was to have more baking soda, while the green batch was to have

more cream of tartar. All three batches were tested numerous times to find the average dissolving

and gas release rates for its respective recipe. Each color was put into a baggie, 3 drinking cups

were gathered (all filled with one cup of water), and while making sure the bath bomb did not

prematurely fall into the water, the baggie was sealed over the cups with rubber bands. A timer

was started when all 3 colors were let fall into the cup.

Gas was collected in the bag giving us a visual of the chemical reaction, along with the

bubbling. Once a bath bomb stop dissolving its time was recorded, this process was done 5

times. Observations taken from the experiment indicated that the chemical reaction taking place

was exothermic, heat was produced and could be felt by touching the cups. The green bath bomb

would not be safe for commercial use. It got too warm and the bubbling was a bit violent ,yet gas

was produced at a faster rate, it is not fit to use in a real bath experience. While the other two got

a bit warm, as well, they had a more pleasant warmth and the bubbling rate was not at a violent

pace. With that if these batches were real product they most suitable for production would be the

pink bath bombs. They may have dissolved faster, but it had a more relaxing nature to than the

others. A closer runner up is the blue batch, it dissolved significantly slower and definitely had a

relaxing to it but the bubble popping was a bit over the top. It was exaggerated, looking like a

slow boiling cauldron of witches potions.

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Exact measurements would have made the whole experiment better. Ratios were off and

they gave an inaccurate comparison. A better enclosure for the reactions to take place would

have also produced better results, as well as, observations. The baggies used were not sealed all

the way, releasing gas, giving an inaccurate result.

If this experiment was taken full scale, different ratios would be made, each having little

differentiators, and tested to make sure they would not harm the skin. More fragrances would be

used and skin softeners would be added. Home crafters, though, should stick to the safe recipes

no matter the temptation.

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Work Cited

"Acids, Bases & Water." Chem 101: Science Explorations Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/acid-base-water-science-explorations-newsletter/>.

Grover, Heidi. "How to Make Bath Bombs Without Citric Acid." EHow. Demand Media, n.d.
Web. 10 Dec. 2015. <http://www.ehow.com/how_5057845_make-bath-bombs-citric-acid.html>.

Web. <http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/erlinger/water/background/ph.html>.

Web.<http://www.lushusa.com/Bath-Bombs/bath-bombs,en_US,sc.html>

Myers, R. Thomas, Kieth B. Oldham, and Salvatore Tocci. Chemistry. N.p.: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, n.d. Print.

Science Buddies. "Sudsy Science: Creating Homemade Bath Bombs."Scientific American Global RSS.
N.p., 8 May 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sudsy-science-creating-
homemade-bath-bombs/>.

Web.<https://smartsite.ucdavis.edu/access/content/user/00002950/bis10v/week1/13acidbase.html
>