Customer Reviews

The Science of Soap Films and Soap Bubbles

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Starting with a review of basic concepts such as surface tension and energy considerations, this book develops the basic physics of soap films and soap bubbles. Topics discussed include minimum surfaces in two and three dimensions, some practical applications of soap films, multiple bubbles,analogue and analytical methods, the Laplace-Young Equation and many others. The book contains some excellent color plates containing pictures of various soap films and illustrating some of the concepts discussed.

The mathematical and physical level is modest. A knowledge of basic differential equations and how to apply Newton's Second Law will get you through. Some more advanced concepts such as the the idea of curvature from differential geometry and the force due to a column of liquid from fluid statics are sometimes used but the context of their use makes them pretty self explanatory in this book. The Calculus of Variations is often referred to and an appendix covers the basic concepts of this branch of mathematics, but no particular knowledge of this subject is required to enjoy the book.

All in all an informative and enjoyable book.

This book describes the physics of the formation and minimization of soap films and bubbles. It relies heavily on mathematics. For example, the interference patterns in a soap film are given. Rigorous proofs for the minimization of bubbles and soap films are helpful, but only if one has had enough math to understand the proof. The author also uses conventions that many people would find confusing. It would not be hard to split this book in two. The first book would be just the observed phenomena, and the second would be the mathematical proofs of the phenomena. This book is well written, but the interposition of the mathematical proofs changes this book from a cool book about bubbles to a textbook about bubbles

I bought this book after I read C. V. Boys' book "Soap Bubbles (Their Colors and Forces Which Mold Them)". Yes, it more technical, and a science background is need for the formulas. However, there are some things in this book that the layman might have an interest in. The soap film photos are great, some nice history and there are some things that can be done with household materials. And yes, the book is out of date, but if you have more than a passing interest in soap films/bubbles then I would get this book. The reference index is quite invaluable for those that are fascinated by this subject.