Pressure inside a soap bubble just under surface

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the pressure inside a small air bubble located just below the surface of water, specifically focusing on the contributions of surrounding and excess pressures. The subject area includes fluid mechanics and surface tension effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the internal pressure of the bubble and the surrounding pressures, questioning whether to consider atmospheric pressure or hydrostatic pressure due to the water. There is a focus on understanding the implications of being just below the surface versus above it.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the significance of hydrostatic pressure and its impact on the overall pressure calculation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the differences in pressure contributions based on the bubble's position relative to the water surface.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of pressure calculations in fluid mechanics, particularly the assumptions about external pressures acting on the bubble. There is an acknowledgment of potential differences in pressure contributions based on the bubble's depth.

takando12
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Homework Statement


What should be the pressure inside a small air bubble of 0.1,, radius,situated just below the surface? st of water=7.2 *10-2 and atmospheric pressure=1.013*105.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I am of the understanding that the pressure inside the bubble is the sum of the surrounding pressure and the excess pressure( 4s/r). But what I don't understand is the surrounding pressure. Should I take the atmospheric pressure? But since it's just below the surface,the top of the bubble would be exposed to atmospheric pressure and the rest of the bubble to whatever pressure the water exerts( I don't think I'm right, I need help). So which pressure is it that I take for external?
 
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takando12 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I am of the understanding that the pressure inside the bubble is the sum of the surrounding pressure and the excess pressure( 4s/r). But what I don't understand is the surrounding pressure. Should I take the atmospheric pressure? But since it's just below the surface,the top of the bubble would be exposed to atmospheric pressure and the rest of the bubble to whatever pressure the water exerts( I don't think I'm right, I need help). So which pressure is it that I take for external?
Have you calculated how much difference that makes?
There is another difference between a bubble above the surface and one under the surface which might have rather more significance.
 
haruspex said:
Have you calculated how much difference that makes?
There is another difference between a bubble above the surface and one under the surface which might have rather more significance.
if a bubble was under the surface, the pressure inside the bubble would be 4s/r + the hydrostatic pressure at that height( Pa+hρg).
I am unable to understand what exactly you mean by difference. Since the bubble is just below the surface,will the second term reduce to just Pa?
 
I asked if you had calculated how much difference it makes taking into account that little extra hydrostatic pressure. I mean the numbers, not the algebraic expression. I suspect it is negligible.
takando12 said:
I am unable to understand what exactly you mean by difference.
There is rather an important difference in the forces. Do you know how the ##4\sigma/r## formula is derived? If you follow that through you should see why it is different.
 

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