Science Review of Bubbles

Science Review of Bubbles

Science Review of Bubbles 150 150 Deborah

Overview

Bubbles are usually formed when a globule of gas is suspended in a liquid.  Some common examples include the bubbles of carbon dioxide found in carbonated drinks, water vapor in boiling water, and soap bubbles.

Carbonated Water

Bubbles form when very small air pockets are trapped in liquids.  For example, supersaturated carbon dioxide is introduced under pressure into either plain water or water with flavors added to form carbonated soft drinks.  It is weakly acidic.  Although carbonation is a natural part of the fermentation process in making sparkling wines, champagne, and beer, artificial carbonated water was not produced until the mid-1700s.  By the 1800s, flavorings were added.

Boiling

When a liquid, such as water, is heated to its boiling point, small bubbles of water vapor begin to form and then break at its surface.  At first, bubbles of water vapor form slowly, then increase rapidly, as more water is heated. At the boiling point of a liquid, its vapor pressure is equal to the pressure of the gas above it.

Soap Bubbles

Soap bubbles consist of a very thin film of soapy water that surround a sphere of air.  The soap itself reduces the surface tension of the water, so that the soap bubbles can form. When plain water flows out of a tap, bubbles form, but the surface tension of the plain water is high enough that those bubbles burst immediately. Soap bubbles are iridescent because light reflects off the surface of the thin film itself, as the bubble itself is clear.  Although soap bubbles will pop if their surface ruptures, they can last longer if glycerin is added to the bubble solution.

Foam

Foams contain series of multiple gas bubbles connected by thin surface layers, such as foams of soap bubbles or foaming liquid.  The bubbles contained in the foam are not all the same size and clump together.  The foaming effect can also occur if there are impurities in the liquid, such as if milk is added to boiling water.  Fire retardants are usually foams.

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