Effects of thermal conduction on bubble dynamics near the sonoluminescence threshold

Abstract

A simple model of bubble dynamics is constructed in which effects of thermal conduction and those of evaporation and condensation of water vapor are included. Results of numerical calculations when a bubble is irradiated by an ultrasonic wave reveal that the effect of thermal conduction is considerable. The calculated results fit with the experimental data of the radius–time curve much more satisfactorily than those by a model without thermal conduction. It is also concluded that a bubble transduces the energy of the acoustic wave into heat. Numerical calculations also reveal that the partial pressure of water vapor in a bubble differs considerably from the saturated vapor pressure especially at collapse of the bubble. Connection with sonoluminescence is also discussed.