The Formation of Bubbles

Extreme values for the negative pressures and the degrees of superheat which water will withstand without forming bubbles are contrasted with the ease of forming bubbles by vibration or by the turbulent flow of liquids. The subject of bubble nuclei is briefly reviewed, and it is pointed out that such nuclei usually function by virtue of sorbed or trapped air which can be removed, rendering the nuclei ineffective. Technique for avoiding extraneous bubble nuclei is presented with some experiments on the formation of bubbles by mechanical action. It is pointed out that free vortices in liquids produce sufficient tension to rupture the liquid, and it is suggested that mechanical disturbance produces bubbles only in such vortices and not by general pressure lowering in sound waves.