The thermal behaviour of oscillating gas bubbles

Abstract

Several aspects of the oscillations of a gas bubble in a slightly compressible liquid are discussed by means of a simplified model based on the assumption of a spatially uniform internal pressure. The first topic considered is the linear initial-value problem for which memory effects and the approach to steady state are analysed. Large-amplitude oscillations are studied next in the limit of large and small thermal diffusion lengths obtaining, in the first case, an explicit expression for the internal pressure, and, in the second one, an integral equation of the Volterra type. The validity of the assumption of uniform pressure is then studied analytically and numerically. Finally, the single-bubble model is combined with a simple averaged-equation model of a bubbly liquid and the propagation of linear and weakly nonlinear pressure waves in such a medium is considered.