How Fast Is Air Bubble (water)?

A small air bubble rises through water at about 0.3 metres per second — viscosity holding it back. Larger bubbles rise faster, until they distort and split into smaller ones, finding a stable size of around 1 cm diameter.

Bubbles larger than about 1 cm tend to distort and split as they rise — finding a stable size automatically.

• Slower than walking pace
• Larger bubbles rise faster — until they split