Bubbles in Milk vs Water: How come bubbles form in skim milk when you blow through a straw, but not in water?

Question

My preschooler asked me this question and I wasn't quite sure how to answer.

Answer 1

oh, how dear...those inquisitive little minds-its actually a great question, tell her I am giving her a big gold star (or him) The reason it will form bubbles in the milk , is that although it is skim, it still has some fat to combine with the oxygen as its introduced to the milk Just like if you whip heavy whipping cream, it will absorb the oxygen and form a fluffy mass. Water alone does not have any fat to hydrogenate with. To simplfy for the child, I would say "all those cool bubbles you are blowing are making friends with the fats in the milk, and blowing up like a puffy baloon", or something equally as silly.

Answer 2

The milk is thicker, so the bubbles are more apparent