If vibrations occur in a pump, what is this phenomenon referred to as?

Cavitation refers to the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in a liquid near a moving or rotating part, such as a pump impeller. This phenomenon can lead to vibrations, noise, and potential damage to the pump components. When cavitation occurs, the pressure in the pump drops low enough that vapor bubbles form. As these bubbles move into higher pressure areas of the pump, they implode violently, creating shock waves that can result in significant vibrations and physical damage to the pump structure.

Understanding why cavitation is specifically linked to vibrations can help in diagnosing issues in pump systems. Cavitation typically results from conditions such as improper pump sizing, high suction lifts, or excessive flow rates, which can cause performance issues and efficiency loss in the pump system.

The other options, while related to pump operation, do not adequately describe the specific phenomenon that causes vibrations linked to the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles in liquids.