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Orbeez are vibrant, squishy little beads, resembling the size of ball bearings, crafted from polymers including acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide, and water. Harper ParkMain Points to Remember
- To fill a typical U.S. bathtub, which holds around 42 gallons (159 liters) of water, you'll need roughly 67,200 fully hydrated Orbeez.
- The cost to fill a bathtub with Orbeez can be quite high, costing approximately $24 for a pack of 2,000 Orbeez. For 67,200 Orbeez, the total cost is around $800.
- If you're planning to immerse yourself in the Orbeez-filled bathtub, your body will displace some beads, so you'll only need about 48,000 Orbeez for 30 gallons (114 liters) to make room for the displacement.
In 2020, people probably spent more time stuck at home than in any other year since the beginning of the 21st century. It's very likely that millions of people confined indoors considered trying something like this:
- Using the scientific method of experimentation, find out how many hydrated Orbeez are needed to fill your bathtub.
While we support most types of experiments, we'll handle the math for you so you won't have to risk damaging your plumbing just to find out. Unless, of course, you're up for the challenge.
Orbeez begin as tiny, colorful beads about the size of ball bearings, made from polymers that include acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide, and water — the same material found in diapers and maxi pads that helps them absorb moisture. When soaked in water, these polymers expand, with the spaces between them filling up with water molecules, causing the beads to swell to more than 150 times their original size. They can also be dried out — just place them in the sun or an open container — and they'll shrink back to their original size in about a day or so.
So, how many of these water-absorbing beads would be required to fill the bathtub in your home?
Bathtub sizes vary, but in the U.S., a typical bathtub can hold 42 gallons (159 liters) of water. How many individual water beads would it take to completely fill one of these tubs?
As per the Orbeez website, 100 dried Orbeez translate into one cup (240 milliliters) of fully hydrated Orbeez. Since there are 16 cups in a gallon, this means that there are 1,600 Orbeez in a gallon. So, to fill a standard 42-gallon (159-liter) bathtub, you'd need about 67,200 Orbeez. However, be prepared, because at around $24 for a pack of 2,000 Orbeez, it could be a pricey endeavor. But there are certainly other, cheaper alternatives available too.
Hold on a second! If you’re seriously going for this at home, remember that when you submerge yourself in the Orbeez-filled tub, your body will displace a large number of swollen beads. It might be wiser to aim for around 30 gallons (114 liters) instead. That way, you'd only need about 48,000 Orbeez. The takeaway: jumping into an Orbeez bath might not make you cleaner, but it will save you some cash.
Important note: Orbeez grow larger when using distilled water. The minerals and salts found in tap water can inhibit their expansion. Some people even add salt or rubbing alcohol to their Orbeez to prevent bacterial growth, though this also limits their growth. For the largest Orbeez, stick with distilled water!
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Orbeez were initially created to help agricultural plants by mixing them with soil, allowing the plants to retain water for longer periods. They are completely biodegradable and non-toxic, making them safe for the environment, children, and pets. However, it’s probably best to avoid letting kids or animals eat Orbeez, just to be cautious.
