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Updated: May 4, 2026

Preparation of Free-Surface Hyperbolic Water Vortices
Published on: July 28, 2023
Intensity of vortices: from soap bubbles to hurricanes
T Meuel1, Y L Xiong2, P Fischer2
1Université Bordeaux 1, Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine, UMR 5798 CNRS, 351 cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence, France.
Abstract:
By using a half soap bubble heated from below, we obtain large isolated single vortices whose properties as well as their intensity are measured under different conditions. By studying the effects of rotation of the bubble on the vortex properties, we found that rotation favors vortices near the pole. Rotation also inhibits long life time vortices. The velocity and vorticity profiles of the vortices obtained are well described by a Gaussian vortex. Besides, the intensity of these vortices can be followed over long time spans revealing periods of intensification accompanied by trochoidal motion of the vortex center, features which are reminiscent of the behavior of tropical cyclones. An analysis of this intensification period suggests a simple relation valid for both the vortices observed here and for tropical cyclones.
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