Bubble ring
Encyclopedia
A bubble ring, or ring bubble, is an underwater ring vortex
where an air bubble occupies the core of the vortex, forming a ring shape. The ring of air as well as the nearby water spins poloidally
as it travels through the water, much like a flexible bracelet might spin when it is rolled on to a person's arm. The faster the bubble ring spins, the more stable it becomes. Bubble rings and smoke ring
s are both examples of vortex ring
s, the physics of which is still under active study in fluid dynamics
. Devices have been invented which generate bubble vortex rings.
s, blow bubble rings. Dolphins sometimes engage in complex play behaviours, creating bubble rings on purpose, seemingly for amusement. There are two main methods of bubble ring production: rapid puffing of a burst of air into the water and allowing it to rise to the surface, forming a ring; or swimming repeatedly in a circle and then stopping to inject air into the helical vortex currents thus formed. The dolphin will often then examine its creation visually and with sonar. They also appear to enjoy biting the vortex-rings they've created, so that they burst into many separate normal bubbles and then rise quickly to the surface.
Humpback whale
s use another type of bubble ring when they forage for fish. They surround a school
of forage fish
with a circular bubble net and herd them into a bait ball
.
Some scuba divers can create bubble rings by blowing air out of their mouth in a particular manner. Long bubble rings also can form spontaneously in turbulent water such as in heavy surf.
toy that was traditionally used for many years. Soapsuds are suspended on a ring connected by a stem to the screwcap of a bottle containing soapsuds.
Vortex ring
A vortex ring, also called a toroidal vortex, is a region of rotating fluid moving through the same or different fluid where the flow pattern takes on a toroidal shape. The movement of the fluid is about the poloidal or circular axis of the doughnut, in a twisting vortex motion...
where an air bubble occupies the core of the vortex, forming a ring shape. The ring of air as well as the nearby water spins poloidally
Toroidal and poloidal
The earliest use of these terms cited by the Oxford English Dictionary is by Walter M. Elsasser in the context of the generation of the Earth's magnetic field by currents in the core, with "toroidal" being parallel to lines of latitude and "poloidal" being in the direction of the magnetic field...
as it travels through the water, much like a flexible bracelet might spin when it is rolled on to a person's arm. The faster the bubble ring spins, the more stable it becomes. Bubble rings and smoke ring
Smoke ring
A smoke ring is a visible vortex ring formed by sudden release of smoke. It can be created by blowing smoke from the mouth, quickly lighting a cigarette lighter and putting it out or holding a burning incense stick or a cigarette vertically, pushing it with the burning side up and suddenly pulling...
s are both examples of vortex ring
Vortex ring
A vortex ring, also called a toroidal vortex, is a region of rotating fluid moving through the same or different fluid where the flow pattern takes on a toroidal shape. The movement of the fluid is about the poloidal or circular axis of the doughnut, in a twisting vortex motion...
s, the physics of which is still under active study in fluid dynamics
Fluid dynamics
In physics, fluid dynamics is a sub-discipline of fluid mechanics that deals with fluid flow—the natural science of fluids in motion. It has several subdisciplines itself, including aerodynamics and hydrodynamics...
. Devices have been invented which generate bubble vortex rings.
Physics
Air bubbles in water having diameters greater than about two centimetres quickly become rings because water pressure increases with depth. Higher pressure water below the bubble overcomes the surface tension of the sphere, punching a hole in the centre to create a ring shape.Cetaceans
Cetaceans, such as beluga whales and dolphinDolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
s, blow bubble rings. Dolphins sometimes engage in complex play behaviours, creating bubble rings on purpose, seemingly for amusement. There are two main methods of bubble ring production: rapid puffing of a burst of air into the water and allowing it to rise to the surface, forming a ring; or swimming repeatedly in a circle and then stopping to inject air into the helical vortex currents thus formed. The dolphin will often then examine its creation visually and with sonar. They also appear to enjoy biting the vortex-rings they've created, so that they burst into many separate normal bubbles and then rise quickly to the surface.
Humpback whale
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from and weigh approximately . The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the...
s use another type of bubble ring when they forage for fish. They surround a school
Shoaling and schooling
In biology, any group of fish that stay together for social reasons are said to be shoaling , and if, in addition, the group is swimming in the same direction in a coordinated manner, they are said to be schooling . In common usage, the terms are sometimes used rather loosely...
of forage fish
Forage fish
Forage fish, also called prey fish or bait fish, are small fish which are preyed on by larger predators for food. Predators include other larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Typical ocean forage fish feed near the base of the food chain on plankton, often by filter feeding...
with a circular bubble net and herd them into a bait ball
Bait ball
A bait ball, or baitball, occurs when small fish swarm in a tightly packed spherical formation about a common centre. It is a last ditch defensive measure adopted by small schooling fish when they are threatened by predators...
.
Human divers
Other uses of the term
The term "bubble ring" is also used in other contexts. A common children's toy for blowing soap bubbles is called a bubble ring, and replaces the bubble pipeBubble pipe
A bubble pipe is a toy shaped like a tobacco pipe, intended to be used for blowing soap bubbles. Most bubble pipes are made of plastic and therefore cannot be used for actual smoking. They are usually brightly colored, and sometimes feature fanciful designs including multiple bowls.Like candy...
toy that was traditionally used for many years. Soapsuds are suspended on a ring connected by a stem to the screwcap of a bottle containing soapsuds.
See also
- Carousel feedingCarousel feedingCarousel feeding refers to the hunting technique commonly employed by orcas. An individual or small group of orcas will release bursts of bubble or flash their white undersides to round prey such as salmon or herring into a tight defensive ball close to the surface. The orcas then slap the ball...
- Smoke ringSmoke ringA smoke ring is a visible vortex ring formed by sudden release of smoke. It can be created by blowing smoke from the mouth, quickly lighting a cigarette lighter and putting it out or holding a burning incense stick or a cigarette vertically, pushing it with the burning side up and suddenly pulling...
- Vortex ringVortex ringA vortex ring, also called a toroidal vortex, is a region of rotating fluid moving through the same or different fluid where the flow pattern takes on a toroidal shape. The movement of the fluid is about the poloidal or circular axis of the doughnut, in a twisting vortex motion...
- Vortex ring toysVortex ring toysA vortex ring toy generates vortex rings – rolling donut-shapes of fluid – that move through the fluid . A smoke ring is a common example of a vortex ring...
External links
- Dolphin bubble rings
- Dolphin bubble rings (video)
- Dolphin make and play bubble rings (video)
- Dolphin play bubble rings (video)
- Various videos of bubble rings
- BubbleRings.com Has some information on how bubble rings work.