Chapter 3 - Physical effects and associated energy release

Abstract

In the present chapter, qualitative assessments of the microscopic and macroscopic development of the physical effects related to sonication and acoustic cavitation bubbles are presented through a modeling approach. The first section of the chapter deals with the fundamental aspects of the acoustic wave propagation, and the formation, growth and dynamics of oscillation and collapse of acoustic cavitation bubbles. The second section presents a qualitative description of the physical effects of sonication and acoustic cavitation, and approaches through modeling the acoustic streaming, microstreaming, microjet, and shockwave in terms of velocities, pressures, forces, powers, and energies. The chapter also invokes the main applications of the physical effects related to sonication and acoustic cavitation bubbles, at both microscopic and macroscopic scales.