Alternatively, if you want a more concise title: What causes bubbles to merge?

[member 428835]

Why do bubbles coalesce? I imagine it has to do with surface tension and pressure. The Young-Laplace equation states a bubbles pressure is inversely proportional to its radii. Higher pressure implies higher potential energy, so maybe bubbles coalesce to form a bigger bubble with bigger radii, and hence smaller pressure and less energy?

 

[Khashishi]

The surface tension tries to minimize the surface area. One big bubble has lower surface area than two smaller bubbles.

When two smaller bubbles touch, there's a seam between them. If a tiny hole develops in the seam, connecting the two bubbles, then you have a narrow choke between the two spheres. In the choke, the radius of curvature is very small, so it is very unstable. The Young-Laplace equation refers to a static situation, but gives the idea that the pressure is instantaneously not equal everywhere. Pressure will quickly equalize, which means the bubble needs to reshape itself into a sphere.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Why do bubbles coalesce? I imagine it has to do with surface tension and pressure. The Young-Laplace equation states a bubbles pressure is inversely proportional to its radii. Higher pressure implies higher potential energy, so maybe bubbles coalesce to form a bigger bubble with bigger radii, and hence smaller pressure and less energy?

All the best (and most reliable) arguments are based on energy. "Good on yer!"

 

[member 428835]

The surface tension tries to minimize the surface area.

Since energy is proportional to surface area, this is why surface area is minimized, right?