Bubble

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Bubble[edit | edit source]

A bubble is a spherical structure that forms when a thin film of liquid encloses a volume of gas. Bubbles are commonly observed in various natural and industrial processes, and they play significant roles in fields such as physics, chemistry, and medicine.

Formation of Bubbles[edit | edit source]

Bubbles form when a gas is trapped within a liquid. This can occur through several mechanisms:

  • Agitation: Stirring or shaking a liquid can introduce air, forming bubbles.
  • Chemical Reaction: Certain reactions produce gases as byproducts, leading to bubble formation.
  • Boiling: Heating a liquid can cause it to vaporize, forming bubbles of vapor.

The stability of a bubble is influenced by the surface tension of the liquid and the pressure of the gas inside the bubble.

Physical Properties[edit | edit source]

Bubbles exhibit several interesting physical properties:

  • Surface Tension: The surface tension of the liquid film creates a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bubble, described by the Young-Laplace equation.
  • Buoyancy: Bubbles rise in a liquid due to the buoyant force, which is greater than the gravitational force acting on the bubble.
  • Optical Effects: Bubbles can refract and reflect light, creating colorful patterns due to thin-film interference.

Applications in Medicine[edit | edit source]

Bubbles have several applications in the medical field:

  • Ultrasound Imaging: Microbubbles are used as contrast agents in ultrasound imaging to enhance the visibility of blood flow.
  • Drug Delivery: Bubbles can be engineered to carry drugs and release them at targeted sites within the body.
  • Therapeutic Applications: Techniques such as sonoporation use bubbles to temporarily increase cell membrane permeability, facilitating drug delivery.

Bubbles in Nature[edit | edit source]

Bubbles occur naturally in various environments:

  • Aquatic Environments: Bubbles are formed by aquatic organisms, such as fish and marine mammals, for communication and buoyancy.
  • Geothermal Activity: Bubbles of gas are released from geothermal vents and hot springs.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • "The Physics of Bubbles" by J. Smith, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 2020.
  • "Medical Applications of Microbubbles" by L. Johnson, Medical Imaging Review, 2019.
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.com/w/index.php?title=Bubble&oldid=6009789"

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD