Phenomena

Backflipping Bubbles

Featured Video Play Icon

Rising bubbles can backflip when they impact a tilted surface. As shown in this video, small bubbles will bounce off a titled surface, with each hop leading the bubble further up the incline. For slightly larger bubbles, though, things get a little more complicated. The bubble impacts the surface, bounces away, then circles back and makes its second impact behind the first before moving further up the plate. What drives this backflip? The researchers found that circulation around these bubbles is asymmetric, generating a lift force that drives the bubble’s backflip. (Image and video credit: A. Hooshanginejad et al.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.