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How to Calculate Drift Velocity of a Bubble

The drift velocity of a bubble is the distance that it travels through a body of water before it reaches the surface. This can be in the open ocean or in a small water container. To calculate the drift velocity of a bubble you need to determine the variables that need to be used. You then need to input all of the variables into a series of equations.

Instructions

- 1
  Place a measuring tape against one side of the 5-foot water container. Start the stopwatch when you see a bubble form and stop the stopwatch when it reaches the surface.
- 2
  Divide the time it takes the air bubble to reach the surface by the height of the water container. If an air bubble takes 3 seconds to reach the surface then divide it by the 5 feet. This will give you a result of 0.6 ft/s.
- 3
  Multiply the 0.6 ft/s in step 2 by the tidal current of the water, such as 5 ft/s. This will give you a result of 3 ft/s.
- 4
  Multiply 3 ft/s by the 5-foot height of the water container. This will give you a result of 15 feet. The air bubbles in a 5-foot high water container will drift 15 feet before reaching the surface.

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