Question

Cavitation is defined as the process of formation of the vapor phase of a liquid when it is subjected to reduced pressures at constant ambient temperature. Thus, it is the process of boiling in a liquid as a result of pressure reduction rather than heat addition. Hence, if the liquid is already boiling, does it then reduce the energy needed to produce cavitation, of the sort which can then damage solid materials through the collapse of the bubbles?

Answer 1

Cavitation, often damaging to solid materials, happens when a liquid's vapor pressure allows bubbles to form. If a liquid is already boiling, cavitation requires less energy because the vapor pressure approaches the liquid's boiling point, where the vapor pressure equals the external pressure, expediting bubble formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cavitation occurs when a liquid's vapor pressure becomes high enough that bubbles form and collapse violently, potentially causing damage to solid materials such as propellers or pipes. When a liquid is already boiling, the energy needed to produce cavitation could indeed be reduced because the liquid is nearing its vapor pressure equilibrium. With added heat, the vapor pressure increases to meet external pressure, and evaporation transitions into boiling. As a liquid heats, the average kinetic energy of its particles increases, leading to an increased rate of evaporation. When enough particles have the energy to vaporize, the liquid reaches its boiling point, defined as the temperature at which the vapor pressure is equal to the external pressure.