Ever wondered what happens to a bubble when it ‘pops’? The entire process takes only an amazing 100 microseconds! Imagine a bubble mostly submerged below the liquid surface. When the fluid of the bubble cap drains away, it reaches a critical thickness of less than 100 nanometers. Any disturbance in temperature or vibration will cause this unstable membrane to rupture, leaving a temporary indentation in the fluid surface (Refer to Figure 1.1) Pressure movement downwards of the hollow left by the disintegrated bubble cap causes surrounding bubbles to be sucked downwards. The shear stress elongates the adjacent bubbles, increasing surface area in surrounding bubble caps to absorb energy release by collapse of central bubble. Finally, the inrushing sides of a burst bubble collide at the bottom of the hollow pushes upwards a high-speed jet of fluid, which breaks up into the water droplets we see when a bubble bursts.
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Figure 1.1: When there is a temporary indentation in the fluid surface, a flower-like structure will be formed with the surrounding bubbles. It is as shown in the picture above.
