Scientists can calculate the shape colliding bubbles will form

Researchers from the University of Strasbourg in France have observed and studied the behavior of “kissing” soap bubbles. When two soap bubbles come into contact, they join together into a larger shape that looks like two spheres that have been pushed together at one point. The scientists found that when these “kissing” bubbles are pushed together or pulled apart, they can detach, slide sideways or shift to one side, demonstrating a unique behavior that has not been fully understood until now. Furthermore, bubbles are almost always spherical in shape, as forming them into other shapes, such as diamonds or cubes, would take too much energy.

According to a study led by Friedrich Walzel at the University of Strasbourg, soap bubbles maintain their spherical shape because it allows them to minimize their surface area and the energy required to maintain it, while also being able to encompass as much gas as possible within each bubble. This makes them an ideal shape for efficient gas exchange and has led to their prevalence in nature, such as in the alveoli of our lungs or in the cells of plants. Walzel hopes the study’s findings shed new light on how to better control the behavior of gas bubbles, which could have a wide range of applications, from food processing to energy production.

The study’s implications may also have important ramifications for medical science. One of the ways that bubbles can form in the body is through gas pockets in the bloodstream, which can block small vessels and cause tissue damage. A deeper understanding of bubble behavior could potentially help medical professionals better control such bubbles, reducing risks related to gas embolisms in patients. The study’s findings could also have practical applications for everyday life, such as in washing dishes or taking a bubble bath.

The study’s researchers utilized high-speed cameras and other advanced imaging techniques to capture the behavior of soap bubbles when they came into contact with one another. They discovered that the bubbles can shift and move in ways that were previously unknown, opening up new avenues of research and discovery that could have long-lasting impacts on science and everyday life. While soap bubbles may seem like a small and insignificant area of study, the implications of these findings are far-reaching and could provide important insights into many different fields.



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