What Causes Air Bubbles to Form in Pools and Lakes?

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    Air Bubbles
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of air bubbles forming in pools and lakes, exploring the mechanisms behind their formation, including potential terms like 'ventilation' and 'cavitation'. Participants consider various explanations and contexts for these occurrences, including swimming and marine applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that air bubbles form due to air being pulled down from the surface.
  • Another participant mentions that cavitation is a different phenomenon that may not be relevant to swimming.
  • Several participants discuss the term 'ventilation' as it relates to boat propellers operating near the surface, with one noting a distinction from cavitation.
  • A participant questions the terminology used in marine applications, expressing uncertainty about the distinction between 'ventilation' and 'cavitation'.
  • There is mention of specific mechanical issues related to cavitation, such as wear on propellers and noise in diesel engines, indicating practical implications of the phenomenon.
  • One participant humorously suggests that even the best swimmer would not be able to create cavitation through kicking.
  • Another participant acknowledges differing perspectives on the effects being discussed, indicating a potential misunderstanding among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the terminology or the mechanisms behind bubble formation, with multiple competing views and some uncertainty expressed regarding the definitions of 'ventilation' and 'cavitation'.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions and applications of 'ventilation' and 'cavitation', as well as the specific conditions under which each occurs. The discussion includes references to practical experiences and mechanical implications that may not be universally applicable.

schaefera
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When you kick around in a pool or lake, air bubbles seem to stream from your feet... But what causes this?

Is it air being pulled down from the surface, or oxygen from the water molecules, or something else entirely?
 
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schaefera said:
Is it air being pulled down from the surface
Yes.

There's one other way bubbles can occur in water - but I doubt even the best swimmer can kick fast enough to cause cavitation.
 
Apparently the right term for what is happening is 'ventilation'. It happens with boat propellers operating too near the surface.
 
sophiecentaur said:
Apparently the right term for what is happening is 'ventilation'. It happens with boat propellers operating too near the surface.

Yep. Learned that one recently while repairing my motor. The big wing on outboards just above the propellor is called an anti-ventilation plate.
 
PF certainly does widen our horizons - in the rush to be the best informed poster of the day. :wink:
 
Well that wing on outboard engines used to be called a 'cavitation plate'. I wonder if air pulled from the surface [ventilation] is now distinguished from cavitation which is a pressure induced phenomena in liquids??

Anyone have a reference that uses 'ventilation' for such bubble induced wear and tear? Wikipedia, for example, discusses what I have always known as 'cavitation' issues. I have never seen 'ventilation' terminology in marine applications. Maybe they modified terms??

I can verify that certain prop wear on larger boats, bubble induced noise on props,and even oscillation induced metal wear in water cooled cylinder liners in some diesel engnies [ like the Detroit Diesel 53 series] is called 'cavitation'. It is common practice in some older boats to double up on hull thickness right over props and sometimes inlcude sound deadening material there to combat such unwanted noise. In wet liner diesel engines, the manufacturer [DD] specificies certain additives in engine coolants and or antifreeze..nitrites, if I recall.
 
DaveC426913 said:
There's one other way bubbles can occur in water - but I doubt even the best swimmer can kick fast enough to cause cavitation.
There is another way. But I doubt the swimmer is hot enough to cause boiling :biggrin:.

@Naty1 <-> sophiecentaur and DaveC426913: I think you are talking about different effects.
 
I was waiting for that comment. I managed to restrain myself.
 

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