On lake bottoms, decaying matter produces methane and other gases that get caught as bubbles when the water freezes. In liquid form, water is excellent at dissolving gases, but they Keep reading
Tag: bubbles
Blocking Bubbles
Many industrial processes, including those producing aluminum and “green” hydrogen, use electrodes to speed up chemical reactions. Unfortunately, bubbles that form on the electrode reduce its efficiency anywhere from 10 Keep reading
“Microscopic World”
So many natural processes take place right in front of us, but they’re too small and too fast to see. Here, the Beauty of Science team puts some of those Keep reading
“Through the Bubbles”
Many seabirds catch their prey through plunge diving, where they fly to a particular height, then fold their wings, and dive into the ocean. In busy waters, bubbles from all Keep reading
Bubblegum Sculptures
Like soap bubbles, bubbles blown in gum are ephemeral, lasting only seconds. Their break-up mechanism is quite different, though. Where surface tension rips a bubble apart once it is pierced, Keep reading
Bubbles Encased in Ice
If you’ve ever made ice in a freezer, you’ve probably noticed the streaks of frozen bubbles inside the ice. In its liquid state, water is good at dissolving various gases Keep reading
Lasing Bubbles
The thin shells of bubbles interact with light in fascinating ways; that is, of course, the source of their brilliant colors. In this recent study, researchers discovered that bubbles can Keep reading
The Sound of Bubbles
Every day I stand in front of my refrigerator and listen to the water dispenser pouring water into my glass. The skinny, fast-moving jet of water plunges into the pool, Keep reading
Viscoelasticity and Bubbles
Bursting bubbles enhance our drinks, seed our clouds, and affect our health. Because these bubbles are so small, they’re easily affected by changes at the interface, like surfactants, Marangoni effects, Keep reading
Dancing Peanuts
Bartenders in Argentina sometimes entertain patrons by tossing a few peanuts into their beer. Initially, the peanuts sink, but after a few seconds they rise, wreathed in bubbles. Once on Keep reading