A soap bubble is an extremely thin film of soapy water enclosing air that forms a hollow sphere with an iridescent [showing colours that seem to change in different lights] surface. Soap bubbles usually last for only a few seconds before bursting, either on their own or on contact with another object. They are often used for children's enjoyment, but they are also used in artistic performances. Assembling several bubbles results in foam.

When light shines onto a bubble it appears to change colour. Unlike those seen in a rainbow, which arise from differential refraction, the colours seen in a soap bubble arise from interference of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of the thin soap film. Depending on the thickness of the film, different colours interfere constructively and destructively.

Girl blowing bubbles... A woman creating bubbles with a long soap bubble wand... A child playing with bubble wrap... Several bubbles make a foam.

A speech balloon or bubble is a graphic convention used primarily in comics and cartoons.

Bubble and squeak is a traditional English vegetable dish; usually based on mashed potatoes and "left over" vegetables.

Bubble wrap is a pliable [柔韧的] transparent plastic material used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres (bubbles) provide cushioning for fragile items. "Bubble wrap" is a generic trademark owned by Sealed Air Corporation. The term is used generically for similar products, such as bubble pack, air bubble packing, bubble wrapping, or aeroplast. Properly, Bubble Wrap and BubbleWrap are still registered trademarks of Sealed Air.

Since bubble wrap makes a satisfying popping sound when compressed and ruptured, it is often used as a source of amusement. Acknowledging this alternative use, some websites provide a virtual bubble wrap program which displays a sheet of bubble wrap that users may pop by clicking on the bubbles, while the Mugen Puchipuchi is a compact electronic toy simulating bubble wrap popping.

六级/考研单词: bubble, enclose, hollow, sphere, burst, seldom, assemble, foam, rainbow, interfere, balloon, convention, comic, vegetation, wrap, transparent, parcel, fragile, hemisphere, cushion, trademark, seal, pop, compress, amuse, alternate, website, compact, electron, simulate