Work done in expansion of a bubble

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the work done in the expansion of a bubble, with an emphasis on understanding the forces involved. The initial approach incorrectly assumed a single particle's movement against atmospheric pressure, leading to dimensional errors. Participants clarify that the force should be considered over a small area of the bubble's surface, and the work done needs to account for the total surface area. The correct formulation involves integrating the force over the bubble's surface area as it expands. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of accurately applying physical principles and dimensions in solving the problem.
Vriska
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Homework Statement


as title

Homework Equations



force exerted by atmosphere on bubble = 2(on account of dual layer) * 2pi*r*L(surface tension)
work is the integral of force *dx

The Attempt at a Solution


so we're looking at int ( 4pi*r*L *dr) but since not it 1 particle is traveling against atmospheric force rather a hole bunch in a bubble dr = 2pi*r*dr. (broke the dimensions :(, what else should i do?)
so now we have :
integral (8 pi^2*r^2*L*dr)

This is ofc the wrong answer. I want to do it this way instead of using the "surface energy". If i just used dr I'd be implying only one particle is moving against the atmosphere which is wrong.
 
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Vriska said:
2pi*r*L
Dimensionally wrong. What have you forgotten?
 
haruspex said:
Dimensionally wrong. What have you forgotten?
haruspex said:
Dimensionally wrong. What have you forgotten?

L is force by length right?
 
Vriska said:
L is force by length right?
Sorry, I was thinking of surface energy, which is per unit area.

I did not follow the rest of your argument.
You found the force between two hemispheres. But you cannot integrate that wrt r to find work. That force is not parallel to dr. Think about the force on a small patch A of the bubble, and the work done in pushing A out by dr.
 
haruspex said:
Sorry, I was thinking of surface energy, which is per unit area.

I did not follow the rest of your argument.
You found the force between two hemispheres. But you cannot integrate that wrt r to find work. That force is not parallel to dr. Think about the force on a small patch A of the bubble, and the work done in pushing A out by dr.

Yeah the original one was wrong, I actually wanted to multiply it by 4pi*r^2 to get the total particles that do the same work but the force is not parallel!

okay now I have a small path dA, the force is difference in pressure times that. delta p :

= 2pi*r*L/pi*r^2 = 2L/r.

So my force on that dA = 2L/r *dA.

but dA = 8*pi*r dr (because dA/dr = 8pi*4)

so dF= 16piL dr.

Soo work done could be

int r * df =int 16piL*r dr now to R1 to R2 - 8piL(R2^2- R1^2)

This is wrong, right? like by a factor of 2?
 
Vriska said:
small path dA,
I deliberately wrote A, not dA.
Vriska said:
dA = 8*pi*r dr
No.
You have a force 2LA/r acting on A. What work is done on that as the bubble expands by dr?
What work is done on the whole surface as it expands by dr?
 
haruspex said:
I deliberately wrote A, not dA.

No.
You have a force 2LA/r acting on A. What work is done on that as the bubble expands by dr?
What work is done on the whole surface as it expands by dr?
?

but isn't A =4pi*r^2? dA = 8pi*r dr right?

okay if we have a force dF = 2AL/r dr? so for the entire thing that is 2*4pi *r L dr . 4 piL (R1^2 - R2^2). now I get it why surface energy is a thing, thanks!
 
Vriska said:
dF = 2AL/r dr?
No, the force F is 2AL/r. The work done on A is F.dr.
Vriska said:
2*4pi *r L dr
Yes.
 
haruspex said:
No, the force F is 2AL/r. The work done on A is F.dr.

Yes.

Hm, yep that was a slip, my bad.

Can you tell me what's wrong with the integral I did?
 
  • #10
Vriska said:
what's wrong with the integral I did?
At the end of post #5?
 
  • #11
haruspex said:
At the end of post #5?

nevermind I got it, thanks for the help!
 
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