The Deformation of Soap Bubbles in Electric Fields

Experiments on the deformation of soap bubbles in an electric field show that until the bubble begins rapid vibrations there is no difference between positive and negative bubbles. The positive bubble always bursts very shortly after beginning to vibrate even when resting upon a large supply of soap solution. The negative bubble, however, when resting on ample soap solution, continues vibrating until a much higher field is reached and usually does not burst until some protuberance on the positive plate allows a spark to pass, which may then strike and destroy the bubble. The values of the field for which a particular bubble begins rapid vibrations, so that in continuous light it appears to be conical, are found to be the same within experimental error for both positive and negative bubbles. The fields for bubbles of different sizes are found to vary inversely as the square root of the radius. Photographs are given illustrating the shape of bubbles in various fields. These experiments were carried out at the suggestion of Professor C. T. R. Wilson, and I am greatly indebted to him for his continued advice and interest throughout their progress.