Bubbles might be fairly innocuous, but they may also hold a clue to understanding a more sinister natural phenomena — storms.
French physicists at the University of Bordeaux are studying the behavior of the soapy substance to more accurately predict the intensity of large storms on the scale of Hurricane Sandy.
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The flow of liquid on the bubbles' membranes resembles the movements of weather systems that travel over the Earth, according to a report in the Daily Mail. By rotating the bubbles and varying their temperatures, the French research team has the ability to mimic storm-like system patterns. The process is filmed with a camera that shoots up to 500 frames per second, creating colorful renderings of the research results, according to a New Scientist report.
Of course, the behavior of soap bubbles in a controlled environment is far less complex than that of major storm systems but, based on the research team's results, it appears to be a good place to start. The research could eventually be used to develop new ways of tracking the formation, path and wind intensity of some of the most massive storms.
In fact, the team has already discovered significant similarities between bubbles and real-world storms. For example, the vortices in bubbles and in many storms reach their peak intensities in the middle of their lifespans.
Ultimately, the research team believes the study has the potential to save lives in the face of destructive weather patterns. According to a CNN report, at least 165 people died as a result of Hurricane Sandy and the massive storm caused approximately $50 million in damage.
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