Skip to main content
supercavitation

supercavitation

1 9.9
A method that makes a gas bubble around an underwater object so it moves much faster
  • noun
  • /ˌsuːpərˌkævɪˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
: supercavitación
  • By employing supercavitation, the submarine was able to travel much faster while submerged.

Examples

  • By applying supercavitation, researchers hope to revolutionize underwater transportation technology.

  • The new torpedo uses supercavitation to travel much faster than conventional underwater weapons.

  • Engineers are exploring supercavitation to design submarines capable of unprecedented speeds.

  • The supercavitation technique is revolutionary for underwater vehicles.

  • Researchers are studying supercavitations to improve submarine speed.

  • The research team is studying supercavitation to improve the speed of underwater vehicles.

  • Engineers have developed a new technology that uses supercavitation to create a vapor bubble around torpedoes.

Surface Forms

Morphology

supercavitation = cavitation (semi-transparent) = super + cavitation

Formed by productive prefixation (super- + cavitation) but the meaning is a technical, domain-specific extension that may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Supercavitation combines super ('very' or 'above') and cavity ('hollow' or 'bubble'), so picture a very large empty space or bubble around something in water. So supercavitation literally means making a big bubble around a moving object to reduce drag and let it travel much faster.