• Question: SOAPS CAN COME IN DIFFERENT COLOURS ( I LIKE THE ORANGE ONES ;) ) BUT WHY IS IT THAT SOAPS LATHER IS ALWAYS WHITE IN COLOUR :D

    Asked by susejdog to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Damien Hall

      Damien Hall answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      I think the answer to this is the same as Suzi’s answer to your question about why ice was clear but snow was white – kind of! When you see soap lather, what you are seeing is a bubble or a film of soap, which is very thin – far too thin to be able to show the dye or other colour which makes the soap have a colour. The impression that lather is white comes, I think, from the reflection of light off the surfaces of the components of the soap film. Does that help? Can anyone else contradict me?

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hi @susjdog

      I agree with Damien – it’s because the amount of the soap is so thin that it looks clear, but when it’s all piled up together you can see the colour.

      My answer to the ice/snow question is here:
      http://ias.im/58.1688

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