On the equilibrium states of interconnected bubbles or balloons

Abstract

A description is given of the equilibrium states of a system composed of two spherical membranes made of either soap film or rubber. The membranes are filled separately with air to unequal radii and then connected by a hollow tube, allowing the air to pass freely from one to the other. The equilibrium configurations are determined by the method of minimization of the availability of the system at constant temperature.