The propagation of a pressure wave induced by the rapid bubble wall motion
near the bubble collapse was studied analytically for a sonoluminescing gas
bubble. It has been found that a pressure wave rather than a shock wave is
launched into the bubble center just prior to the bubble collapse and the
wave is reflected near the center. It has also been found that as the gas p
ressure inside the bubble increases, so the reflection point moves farther
from the center. No sharp focusing developed by an inwardly moving shock wa
ve reflected at the origin has been found. The temperature rise associated
with the pressure wave developed inside the bubble turns out to be insuffic
ient for emitting light.