Atomistic insight into the shock-induced bubble collapse in water

Abstract

Atomistic simulations are employed to investigate the dynamics of shock-induced bubble collapse in water. Two types of bubbles (an empty bubble and a bubble filled with N2 gas) in water are considered in this study. Apart from the manifestation of a rise in temperature and pressure due to implosion energy released upon bubble collapse; distinct differences in response could be observed for the case of empty bubble to that of the case of the bubble with N2 gas. It is observed that the mechanism of the bubble associated with bubble dissociation as well as the time taken for collapse are changed with the introduction of N2 gas within the bubble. Numerous new chemical species are also observed as the N2 within the bubble reacts with water molecules upon shock compression which can be correlated with the differences in observation between an empty bubble system and a system containing N2 gas. This study is anticipated to lead to further improvements in continuum theories for cavitation bubble collapse in which the effects of chemical reactions need to be incorporated.