The jelly bubbles tremble when touched due to vibrations caused by contact with the skin. These vibrations affect the fragile structure of the bubble, causing visible movements.
A jelly bubble is primarily composed of water, trapped in a gelatinous network formed by long chains called polymers. These polymers are often derived from collagen, a protein sourced from living organisms, which forms a sort of soft and elastic mesh capable of holding large amounts of water. It is this internal structure of mesh, between solid and liquid, that gives it its characteristic soft consistency, half-firm and half-supple. The homogeneous distribution of these molecules creates a delicate balance: too hard and it would be brittle, too soft and it would spill everywhere. It is precisely this subtle alliance between the water molecules and the elastic structure of the polymers that allows jelly bubbles to remain intact while being capable of vibrating or trembling when touched.
The gelatin is like a soft spring: when you press on it, you briefly deform its structure that has a certain elasticity. Once released, it quickly returns to its original shape, vibrating a bit around its resting position. In simple terms, the more elastic the gelatin is, the more easily it vibrates, a bit like a guitar string when plucked. This elasticity comes from its internal structure made mainly of entangled molecules that are flexible but also capable of quickly returning to their equilibrium position after being disturbed. The tighter and more organized this network is, the faster the vibrations propagate and the longer they last before stopping.
When our finger presses on the jelly, it locally deforms, creating pressure at that specific spot. This pressure quickly transforms into small mechanical waves that traverse the gelatinous structure. As this structure is soft, the contact provokes an immediate reaction: the jelly slightly sinks under the effect of the touch, then straightens up while vibrating. Each time we touch or gently push the jelly, we transmit mechanical energy, which will temporarily circulate inside in the form of small vibrations. It is these vibrations that give the jelly its characteristic quivering, unstable appearance that is easily observed.
When you touch a jelly, you create a movement that spreads as internal waves. These waves travel through the jelly by vibrating the molecules, which collide and transfer energy to their neighbors. The more elastic the jelly is, the further and faster the waves propagate. But be careful: the energy dissipates quickly! With each molecular collision, a small part of this energy is transformed into heat, which gradually slows down the wave and explains why the tremor eventually stops quite quickly.
Jelly is primarily a network made up of large molecules, generally referred to as gelling agents, suspended like a spider web in a large amount of water. These molecules form a kind of soft and elastic grid due to their weak but numerous interactions. As soon as you touch the jelly, these molecules shift slightly from their initial position and then immediately try to return to place. This repeated swaying produces oscillations. The movement observed on a macroscopic scale — the famous trembling vibrations — directly results from the small forces of attraction and repulsion acting between these molecules. The more flexible the molecular structure is and the quicker it can reform, the clearer the oscillations will be, giving the jelly its typically "wobbly" appearance.
Did you know that some researchers use jelly models or similar substances to simulate the propagation of seismic waves on a smaller scale? This helps to better understand how energy spreads within solid and semi-solid materials.
Unlike many solid materials, gels quickly dissipate vibrational energy, which is why their trembling motion usually diminishes within a few seconds. Did you know that?
Did you know that the vibrant and wobbly texture of jelly primarily comes from the long chain of gelatin molecules structured in a three-dimensional network? This gives them a unique elasticity that explains their oscillations.
Did you know that the physical principles explaining the vibration of jelly bubbles are similar to those of the swaying of suspension bridges? In both cases, energy propagates as waves through a flexible structure.
In reality, a medium-sized jelly generally vibrates better than one that is too large or too small. A jelly that is too small quickly absorbs vibrations without propagating them, while one that is too large quickly loses structural stability, thereby diminishing the clarity of its vibrations.
Absolutely! A spherical jelly vibrates differently than a cubic or elongated jelly. A rounded shape, with a uniform distribution of internal stresses, will facilitate a harmonious distribution of vibrations, resulting in aesthetically pleasing tremors.
Yes, there are physical equations that allow us to approximate the frequency of oscillations of a jelly based on its size, chemical composition, and elastic properties. However, in practice, accurate measurement requires laboratory instruments dedicated to the mechanical study of soft solids.
Thanks to the elastic properties of the gelatin molecules that make up the jelly. When disturbed, a jelly tends to return to its original shape due to the internal elastic forces resisting deformation.
Temperature has a notable influence on the elasticity of jelly. An increase in temperature softens the jelly, reducing vibrations and increasing energy dissipation, while a lower temperature makes the jelly more rigid and facilitates the propagation of vibrations.
The variations in trembling between different jellies are due to the amount and type of gelling agent used. The higher the concentration of gelling agent or the stronger the gelling agent used, the more rigid the jelly will be, and it will therefore tend to vibrate more distinctly at the slightest touch.
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