Foamy Snake Lab  

 
Background: ​ ​Video 
 
In this experiment, we add dry ice to colored water and soap solution to see a 
snakeskin like pattern! On adding dry ice to coloured water, it reacts with coloured 
water leading to carbon dioxide gas and water vapor because of the sublimation of 
dry ice. Coloured water, soap and gas combine to form a substance with gas inside. 
 
The dry ice will begin to turn into CO2 and water vapor, forming a cloud. This cloud 
is perfectly safe for you to touch and feel as long as you are careful not to reach into 
the water and accidentally touch the dry ice. Over time, the dry ice will make the 
water cold and the “smoking” will slow down. Replace the cold water with warm 
water and you’re back in business.  

Hypothesis: ​What substance will form if colored water, soap and gas are combined? 

I​ f …, then  
 
Materials:  
● Gloves 
● Plastic bottles (top half is cut off already)  
● Food coloring of your choice (red, blue, green, yellow) 
● Warm water 
● Dish soap 
● Dry ice 
● Plastic bins 
● Styrofoam bowls 
● Plastic spoons 
 
 
Procedure:  
1. Put on your gloves to prevent the food coloring from staining your hands.  
2. Set your plastic bin on the lab table, with the plastic bottle in the center.  
3. Pour some food coloring into the plastic bottle up to the black line marked.  
4. Fill half the bottle with water.  
5. In a separate styrofoam bowl, add enough dish soap to cover the bottom of 
the bowl. Then, add warm water to this bowl and stir with a plastic spoon to 
create the soap solution.  
6. Pour all of the soap solution in the bottle.  
7. Drop a small piece of dry ice into the bottle.  
8. Clean the plastic bottle in the sink along with the plastic bin.  
 
Analysis Questions:  
1. What happens when you touch the foam coming out of the cylinder?  
 
2. Why does the foam stop coming out of the cylinder?  
 
3. What is formed when combining dry ice to colored water plus the soap 
solution? 
 
Conclusion: ​What was your hypothesis and was it correct? How was your 
experience?