Category: Food & Kitchen Science
Browsing posts filed under "Food & Kitchen Science".
Why do bell peppers rattle around in fridge drawers overnight?
Bell peppers rattle in the fridge because they lose moisture overnight, causing them to shrink slightly and become looser, making them prone to noisy movements in your crisper drawer.**
May 31, 2025
What makes popcorn kernels that don't pop still smell like popcorn?
Unpopped popcorn kernels, or "old maids," still smell like popcorn because they contain the same aroma-packed compounds as their explosive siblings and get heated enough to release a little of that signature scent, even without the big show.**
May 30, 2025
Why do soda cans sometimes hiss louder when opening after sitting still?
A soda can often hisses louder after sitting still because if it warms up (like a cold can left at room temperature), more carbon dioxide gas tries to escape the liquid, increasing the pressure inside the can for a more dramatic release.**
May 27, 2025
Why does a wet paper towel feel cooler than ambient air?
**A wet paper towel feels cooler than the air around it because as water evaporates, it sucks heat energy away from your skin and the towel itself—a nifty trick called evaporative cooling!**
May 24, 2025
Why do plastic coffee lids crack more easily in cold than in heat?
Cold temperatures make plastic coffee lids less flexible and more brittle (like glass!), so they snap easily, while heat just makes them softer and bendier.**
May 24, 2025
Why do ceramic mugs change temperature slower than glass cups?
Ceramic mugs keep drinks hot longer primarily because their porous material and lower thermal conductivity trap heat much better than smoother, more conductive glass.**
May 23, 2025
Why does warm plastic wrap cling tighter than cold plastic wrap?
Warm plastic wrap clings tighter because heat makes it super flexible, allowing it to mold perfectly to surfaces and create an almost airtight seal, often with a boost from static electricity.**
May 23, 2025
Why do bubbles in carbonated drinks collapse faster in warmer hands?
Warmer hands heat up your drink, making the CO2 gas less soluble and more energetic, so those fizzy bubbles form and pop much faster.**
May 20, 2025
Why does pasta water foam overflow faster in tall pots?
Tall pasta pots make foam overflow faster because their narrow shape concentrates bubbles and gives them less surface area to pop, creating a starchy skyscraper with nowhere to go but up and out!**
May 17, 2025