Shape of a bubble inside a rotating container

In summary, the conversation discusses a closed cylindrical vessel filled with water and a small air bubble inside. The vessel is then rotated slowly in weightlessness with a constant angular velocity. The extra pressure inside the bubble is related to the surface tension of the water, and the pressure inside the container is affected by the velocity of the water particles. The advantage of weightlessness is that it eliminates the need to consider the direction of gravity, and the shape and motion of the bubble in rotation remain a topic of discussion. The possibility of artificial gravity is also mentioned.
  • #1
Raihan amin
46
0
1.

A closed cylindrical vessel filled with water (at room temperature) contains a small air bubble of normal pressure and volume ##V=1~{cm}^3## inside in it.The cylinder is then started to be rotated slowly with a small angular acceleration in a complete weightlessness (at a space station) .When the angular velocity of the cylinder has reached to ##w_0=30~s^{-1}##,it is kept constant.
Find the stationary shape of the air bubble.The surface tension of the water is ##\sigma=0.7~ N/m##.
The extra pressure inside a bubble is related to the surface tension is as follows:

$$∆P=\frac{2\sigma}{R}$$.
And for cylindrical symmetry, the pressure inside the container will be
$$P=\frac{1}{2}{\rho}w^2r^2$$

From V we can find ##R_0##.
But i can't figure out how the velocity of water particle will affect the shape of the bubble and what is the advantage of weightlessness?
Thanks.

 
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  • #2
The advantage of weightlessness is that you don't have to worry about the direction of the axis of rotation relative to the direction of gravity. Space is isotropic.
Raihan amin said:
But i can't figure out how the velocity of water particle will affect the shape of the bubble ...
In weightlessness, if the cylinder is not rotated, the bubble will be spherical.
Question 1: Will the bubble still be spherical when the cylinder starts rotating in weightlessness? Why or why not?
Question 2: If the bubble is at some arbitrary point (r, θ, z) at the moment the cylinder starts rotating, will it stay there? If yes, what will its subsequent motion be? If no, why not?
 
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  • #3
kuruman said:
Question 2: If the bubble is at some arbitrary point (r, θ, z) at the moment the cylinder starts rotating, will it stay there? If yes, what will its subsequent motion be? If no, why not?
As the cylinder is closed,we can consider it, along with the water,as a rigid body.Then we can say that the bubble will keep it's position fixed.
 
  • #4
And i have no idea about the shape of the bubble when the cylinder starts rotating. Please give the actual answers of your questions .
 
  • #5
What would the pressure distribution be inside the rotating container if the bubble were not present?
 
  • #6
Raihan amin said:
And i have no idea about the shape of the bubble when the cylinder starts rotating. Please give the actual answers of your questions .
This is how it works: You ask a question, we lead you to the answer by asking intermediate questions that you must answer yourself.
Raihan amin said:
As the cylinder is closed,we can consider it, along with the water,as a rigid body.Then we can say that the bubble will keep it's position fixed.
Shouldn't the rotation make a difference? What about artificial gravity?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_gravity
 

1. What causes a bubble to form inside a rotating container?

The rotation of the container creates centrifugal force, which pushes the liquid to the outer edges of the container. This creates a lower pressure area in the center, causing a bubble to form.

2. How does the shape of the bubble change as the container rotates faster?

As the rotation speed increases, the bubble will become elongated and stretched out due to the increased centrifugal force. The shape of the bubble will also become more oblong, with a flatter top and bottom.

3. Why does the bubble appear to move in a circular motion inside the container?

The bubble is moving in a circular motion because it is being pushed by the surrounding liquid, which is also rotating due to the centrifugal force. This creates a circular flow pattern inside the container.

4. Can the shape of the bubble be affected by the surface tension of the liquid?

Yes, the surface tension of the liquid can influence the shape of the bubble. If the surface tension is high, the bubble may appear more spherical. If the surface tension is low, the bubble may become more elongated.

5. How does the size of the container and the amount of liquid inside affect the shape of the bubble?

The size of the container and the amount of liquid inside can affect the shape of the bubble by changing the strength of the centrifugal force. A larger container or more liquid will create a stronger force, resulting in a more elongated bubble.

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