Intellectually Curious

Star in a Bubble: The Incredible Physics of Sonoluminescence


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We dive into sonoluminescence—the flash of light from a tiny collapsing bubble in water driven by sound. Temperatures inside the bubble can reach tens of thousands of kelvin, especially with noble gases present, and the glow arises from rapid adiabatic compression and thermal bremsstrahlung. We connect the science to nature’s own bubble makers like pistol and mantis shrimp, and explore the road ahead: miniature plasma sources, micro-manufacturing, and the controversial bubble‑fusion frontier—and what researchers are learning along the way.


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Intellectually CuriousBy Mike Breault