Continued from yesterday (延續自昨日)
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
When water molecules stick together, this also creates surface tension. This surface tension acts like a stretchy skin that resists outside forces. Meanwhile, the air molecules inside the bubble are pushing outwards trying to escape, but the surface tension pushes back with an equal and opposite force. It’s like a tug-of-war, but perfectly balanced, and this balance of forces is what keeps the bubble together.
Photos: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Bubbles are also easy to burst because their existence all hinges on the thin film. A collision with the ground or a wall can rupture this delicate membrane. Likewise, too much air pushed inside or excessive stretching of liquid surfaces can spell doom for bubbles. And then, with a soft pop, the bubble disappears, leaving behind a fleeting memory. This is a reminder that even the simplest joys are governed by intricate forces.
當水分子聚集在一起時，也會產生表面張力。這種表面張力的作用就像很有彈性的皮膚，抵抗著外部力量。與此同時，泡泡內部的空氣分子會向外推，試圖逃逸，但表面張力以相等且反向的力量反推。這就像一場拔河比賽，但完美地平衡著，而這種力量的平衡就是使泡泡保持完整的原因。
泡泡也很容易破裂，因為它們的存在完全取決於那層薄薄的膜。與地面或牆壁的碰撞可能會破壞這層脆弱的薄膜。同樣地，過多的空氣推入或液體表面的過度拉伸也可能會毀滅泡泡。然後，隨著輕輕砰的一聲，泡泡消失了，留下了稍縱即逝的回憶。這提醒著我們，即使是最單純的喜悅也受到複雜的力量所控制。
Photos: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
What Did You Learn?
1. Why do soap bubbles form spherical shapes?
2. How does surface tension help maintain the shape of soap bubbles?
Photos: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
參考答案
1. Because a sphere uses the least surface area to hold a given amount of air.
2. By acting like a stretchy skin that resists outside forces (and balances the force of air molecules inside bubbles).
Words in use
4. shimmering a. 閃閃發光的
The city skyline at night was a sight to behold, with shimmering skyscrapers illuminated against the dark sky.
夜晚的城市天際線是個值得觀賞的景象 ── 閃閃發光的高樓大廈點亮了黑暗的天空。
5. minimize vt. 使降到最低
The medicine the doctor gave you should minimize your pain.
醫生給你的藥應該可以將你的疼痛降至最低。
Practical Phrases
4. spell doom 帶來毀滅
doom n. 毀滅；死亡
Spending without a budget could spell doom for our financial stability.
花費無預算上限可能會毀掉我們的財務穩定。
5. leave behind... / leave... behind 留下……
My friend’s kind words left behind a warm feeling in my heart.
我朋友善意的話語在我心裡留下了溫暖的感覺。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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