Scaling law for bubbles induced by different external sources: Theoretical and experimental study

Abstract

The scaling relations for bubbles induced by different external sources are investigated based on a modified Rayleigh model and experimental observations. The equations derived from the modified Rayleigh model are presented to describe the collapse of bubbles induced by the different external sources such as electrical spark, laser, and underwater explosion. A scaling law is then formulated to establish the scaling relations between the different types of bubbles. The scaling law reveals the fact that the characteristic length scale factor differs from the characteristic time scale factor for the different types of bubbles. It is then validated by our experimental observations of the spark- and laser-generated bubbles as well as the bubbles induced by underwater explosions from previous published reports. With the present scaling law, studies on spark- or laser-generated bubbles as well as their applications (for example, in industrial or biomedical related applications) can benefit from the experiences and information built up over the years in underwater explosion bubbles. Conversely, it is possible to substitute a spark- or laser-generated bubble for an underwater explosion bubble in the study of a large-scale and complex physical problem. © 2010 The American Physical Society.