Unstable cavitation is characterized by

Unstable cavitation is characterized by

• A. Bubbles expand and the frequency is too high and the collapse
• B. Bubbles compress with high pressure and decompress with low pressure
• C. Bubbles remain stable
• D. Bubbles dissolve in fluid

Answer: (A)

Unstable cavitation (inertial cavitation) occurs when bubbles in a liquid grow large during the low-pressure phase of an acoustic cycle and then collapse violently during the high-pressure phase. That rapid collapse releases a lot of energy, producing shock waves and microjets. The statement that bubbles expand and then collapse captures this key behavior—the violent collapse following expansion is the defining feature. In contrast, stable cavitation involves gentle, continued oscillations without violent collapse, and bubbles dissolving isn’t a hallmark of cavitation.

Unstable cavitation (inertial cavitation) occurs when bubbles in a liquid grow large during the low-pressure phase of an acoustic cycle and then collapse violently during the high-pressure phase. That rapid collapse releases a lot of energy, producing shock waves and microjets. The statement that bubbles expand and then collapse captures this key behavior—the violent collapse following expansion is the defining feature. In contrast, stable cavitation involves gentle, continued oscillations without violent collapse, and bubbles dissolving isn’t a hallmark of cavitation.