Difference between revisions of "Double Soap Bubble"
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| − | The '''double bubble''', or '''double soap bubble''', geometry has long posed a fascinating mathematical challenge: which shape for the surface of a double bubble encloses volume most efficiently? | + | The '''double [[bubble]]''', or '''double soap bubble''', [[geometry]] has long posed a fascinating mathematical challenge: which shape for the surface of a double bubble encloses [[volume]] most efficiently? |
When a double soap bubble forms, it consists of two spheres that intersect, with a soap film separating the chambers on each side. This separating wall connects with the surface of each sphere at a 120-degree angle. If the two spheres have equal size, then the separating film has the shape of a flat disk. If one sphere is larger, then the separating wall bulges into the larger space enclosed by the larger sphere. | When a double soap bubble forms, it consists of two spheres that intersect, with a soap film separating the chambers on each side. This separating wall connects with the surface of each sphere at a 120-degree angle. If the two spheres have equal size, then the separating film has the shape of a flat disk. If one sphere is larger, then the separating wall bulges into the larger space enclosed by the larger sphere. | ||
| − | The question of which geometric shape for a co-equal double bubbles maximizes the internal volume baffled mathematicians for decades. | + | The question of which geometric shape for a co-equal double bubbles maximizes the internal volume baffled mathematicians for decades until it was finally solved in 2002.<ref>http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3062123?uid=2&uid=4&sid=21102047941861</ref> |
| − | [[Category: | + | |
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
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| + | [[Category:Mathematics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:46, July 13, 2016
The double bubble, or double soap bubble, geometry has long posed a fascinating mathematical challenge: which shape for the surface of a double bubble encloses volume most efficiently?
When a double soap bubble forms, it consists of two spheres that intersect, with a soap film separating the chambers on each side. This separating wall connects with the surface of each sphere at a 120-degree angle. If the two spheres have equal size, then the separating film has the shape of a flat disk. If one sphere is larger, then the separating wall bulges into the larger space enclosed by the larger sphere.
The question of which geometric shape for a co-equal double bubbles maximizes the internal volume baffled mathematicians for decades until it was finally solved in 2002.[1]