Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: paul.fr on 28/10/2007 18:43:41

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: paul.fr on 28/10/2007 18:43:41

can you make a square bubble? I don't mean using a square frame, and submerging it in bubble solution, because that's just a frame with a film.

Any idea's?

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: lightarrow on 28/10/2007 19:05:18

Quote from: paul.fr on 28/10/2007 18:43:41

can you make a square bubble? I don't mean using a square frame, and submerging it in bubble solution, because that's just a frame with a film.

Any idea's?

Is it really possible?. There is a physical reason why bubbles are spherical: that's the shape with the lowest potential energy; it means that in any other form there would be a force that pushes it towards the spherical shape.
Take an inflated rubber ballon, deform it with hands, then release it and you'll have an example of that force.
Yes, a rubber balloon can have different shapes, but it's only because the rubber hasn't the same elasticity in every point.
I think that with a soap bubble this is impossible, but I'm open to new possibilities.

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: Soul Surfer on 28/10/2007 22:27:07

By square I presume that you mean cubical.  a cube has six faces so if you join six similarly sized bubbles together in the form of a square with one bubble on the top and another on the bottom such that there is an included void in the centre if the bubbles and the void are the right size you can create a substantially cubical bubble in the middle.

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: Atomic-S on 29/10/2007 05:18:23

Brilliant engineering. Who ever said that we are limited by the laws of physics as they are conventionally understood? Think outside the box.

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: lightarrow on 29/10/2007 09:23:18

Quote from: Soul Surfer on 28/10/2007 22:27:07

By square I presume that you mean cubical.  a cube has six faces so if you join six similarly sized bubbles together in the form of a square with one bubble on the top and another on the bottom such that there is an included void in the centre if the bubbles and the void are the right size you can create a substantially cubical bubble in the middle.

Shouldn't the central bubble have more pressure inside than the other six?

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: Alandriel on 29/10/2007 17:36:05

Have a look here (http://www.bubbleart.com/the%20science%20of%20bubbles-1.htm)

Some seriously fancy bubble work - fascinating stuff  [:)]

Title: how to make a square bubble.
Post by: paul.fr on 03/11/2007 20:48:46

Thanks for the link, Alandriel. I will check it out, when time permits.
here is my, well, Anastasia's "square bubble"

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs262%2Fpf0604%2Fsqb.jpg&hash=193ff22fe523e96432f6149b24a37a28)