Abstract
The configurations of bubbles floating at a vapor-liquid interface are investigated both analytically and experimentally. The differential equations governing the shape of a single bubble at rest in a liquid of infinite extent are deduced under the assumption of zero dome thickness, uniform surface tension, and equal gas densities within the bubble and above the interface. These equations show that nondimensional bubble shapes depend upon the value of a single parameter. An analytical solution, valid for small bubbles, is developed and shown to be in good agreement with the general numerical solution. Good agreement with theory is demonstrated for floating air bubbles, both stationary and translating, ranging in volume from 0.01 cc (in water) to 0.83 cc (in heavy mineral oil). Theoretical results over a dimensionless bubble volume (the ratio of volume to the cube of the capillary constant) range of from 2.6 x 10-4 to 5527 are given.
Recommended Citation
R. A. Medrow and B. T. Chao, "Floating Bubble Configurations," Physics of Fluids, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 459 - 465, American Institute of Physics, Jan 1971.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1693457
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1070-6631
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2023 American Institute of Physics, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 1971
