Attention to the waves bubbles

2002/08/22 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Fisika
• Klima
• Ozeanografia

Listening to breaking the waves is really relaxing and enjoyable for many people. Now, thanks to researchers from the Oceanography Institute of La Jolla, California, the mystery of the sounds of the waves has been revealed. According to them, all responsibility is that of the bubbles that are generated in the waves. And not only that: besides, bubbles have to do with the weather.

Both at sea and in a large laboratory tank, researchers have studied the amount of bubbles and sizes that form when the waves break. Thus, depending on the size, the bubbles are divided into two groups: one millimeter on one side and the other larger on the other.

The larger bubbles occur when the ends of the wave overtake the body and form the ‘tube’, while the smaller ones hit the oaks against the sea surface and splashes appear. Well, researchers have seen that small bubbles produce a higher tone than big ones.

In addition, the waves have been classified into two types: those that explode or break sharply and spill. The first ones are more twisted and have a very demanding start, while the others are less sonic, they start weaker and the sound goes up little by little, but they last longer than the previous ones.

However, bubbles have another function: they contribute to the exchange of gases between sea and air. Thanks to this, the carbon dioxide so necessary by marine vegetation passes from the air to the sea. This combats the warming of the Earth. On the other hand, water droplets pass into the air and some reach the clouds.

Knowing all this, the challenge is here: who is able to say if there are good waves to surf just by hearing the sea.