Thermodynamics – Scientific Explanation of How a Bubble Pops

bubblesfluid-staticssurface-tensionthermodynamics

I was looking at some old slow motion videos showing a phenomenon where a bubble is popped by firing a sphere (or pea) through it.

One obvious thing that happens is that the pea does not pop the bubble immediately, it goes through the first side and then only bursts the bubble when going out the other side.

Is there some intuition about how this is supposed to work? Is it that the air flows in when the first hole appears and then flows back out of the second hole so that there is some type of pressure difference?

Best Answer

According to your video, when the object first touches the bubble, it creates a hole on one side. However, the elasticity of the bubble's surface causes it to contract and partially seal around the object. As the object moves through the bubble, it displaces some of the air within it. This displacement leads to a temporary increase in pressure inside the bubble. The increase in pressure inside the bubble causes air to flow towards the newly created hole. This inward airflow helps maintain the integrity of the bubble by preventing it from bursting immediately. Once the object exits through the opposite side of the bubble, the sudden release of pressure causes the bubble to burst. The airflow dynamics change as the pressure equalizes, and the bubble can no longer sustain its shape.

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