sonoluminescence

Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

  • noun The emission of short bursts of light from imploding bubbles in a liquid when excited by sound.

Examples

  • Their goal was to capture a fleeting phenomenon called sonoluminescence, and it would require an unusual medium — large amounts of xenon-infused sulfuric acid.

    Vitriolic Artists Send Visitors on a Sulfuric Acid Trip

  • After five minutes in total darkness (to let everyone's eyes adjust), the audience is treated to a live demonstration of sonoluminescence, complete with the sound of the bubbles imploding.

    Vitriolic Artists Send Visitors on a Sulfuric Acid Trip

  • Suslick and Flannigan first observed super-bright sonoluminescence in 2005 by sending ultrasound waves through sulfuric acid solutions to create bubbles.

    innovations-report

  • Under the right conditions, these bubbles implode spectacularly, emitting light and reaching very high temperatures, a phenomenon called sonoluminescence.

    innovations-report

Note

The word 'sonoluminescence' comes from Latin roots meaning 'sound' and 'light'.