Category: Food & Kitchen Science
Browsing posts filed under "Food & Kitchen Science".
Why does aluminum foil often stick to itself but peel away unevenly?
Aluminum foil sticks to itself due to microscopic welding caused by pressure on the soft metal during rolling and storage, and it tears unevenly because it's incredibly thin, has a directional grain structure from manufacturing, and the sticking itself creates stress points.**
April 26, 2025
Why does rice stick more when cooked in saltwater?
Salt disrupts the structure of rice starches during cooking, making them swell more and leak out, creating a gummier, stickier texture.
April 26, 2025
Why does a wet paper towel feel lighter when frozen?
A wet paper towel feels lighter when frozen because the ice structure makes it rigid, distributing its unchanged weight over a larger area of your hand, reducing the perceived pressure, even though its actual mass stays the same.**
April 25, 2025
What makes condensation droplets leap on a hot frying pan?
Water droplets leap on a hot pan because they instantly vaporize underneath, creating a cushion of steam (the Leidenfrost effect) that lifts and propels them around.
April 25, 2025
What happens if you fill a balloon with vegetable oil?
Filling a balloon with vegetable oil results in a surprisingly heavy, saggy balloon that won't float, stretches the latex differently, and creates an epic, slippery mess if it bursts.**
April 24, 2025
Could a straw tunnel through marshmallows without crushing them?
Yes, with the right technique and a sturdy, narrow straw, you can pierce a marshmallow fairly cleanly, but achieving a perfect, crush-free tunnel is surprisingly tricky due to physics!**
April 22, 2025
What happens if you leave gummy bears in saltwater aquarium overnight?
Leaving gummy bears in a saltwater aquarium overnight will cause them to shrink and harden due to osmosis, while dangerously contaminating the tank with sugar and chemicals, potentially harming or killing your aquatic life.**
April 22, 2025
Why does recycled glass jar develop cloudy ring after steam drying?
That cloudy ring on steam-dried recycled glass jars is usually harmless mineral residue (mostly calcium carbonate) left behind as hard water evaporates quickly during the hot drying cycle.**
April 21, 2025
Do paper napkin edges curl differently in high altitude kitchens?
Yes, paper napkin edges can curl differently at high altitude, primarily because higher elevations often have lower absolute humidity, leading to faster and potentially more pronounced drying and curling, although other factors also play a significant role.**
April 21, 2025