Why does the pressure inside the kernels build up?
The reason why popcorn pops is the water trapped inside its kernel. If the kernel is heated to a high enough temperature, this water will transform into steam. Due to the hard and mostly nonporous shell, the steam has nowhere to go, resulting in a buildup of pressure inside the kernel.
How does heating popcorn affect the pressure inside the popcorn?
Once a popcorn kernel is heated, the science starts to happen. The heat causes the moisture in the endosperm to turn into steam. Ideally, the hard, impermeable hull will not allow this steam to escape. This situation will cause an increase in pressure.
How does the pressure of a popcorn kernel compared to the pressure of the atmosphere?
Did you know popcorn pops at roughly nine times atmospheric pressure? The inside of a popcorn kernel is about ~13% water.
Does popcorn pop because of pressure?
When our kernels are heated and reach water’s boiling point, the water inside the kernel transforms from a liquid to a vapor. The water vapor is then trapped inside our kernels (but not for long)! So what makes popcorn pop? Eventually, enough pressure is built up inside and bursts through the shell and ‘POP.
What gas law is popcorn popped with?
the Gay-Lussac gas law
This phenomenon can be explained by the Gay-Lussac gas law, which states that as the temperature of a gas increases, so does the pressure. During the explosion, the starch granules that contain the water vapor expand enormously – turning the kernel inside out and producing a fluffy white flake.
What percent of popcorn is air?
The results showed that the average bag of popcorn was 54% air.
What is inside of a popcorn kernel?
“Inside each kernel of popcorn is a tiny droplet of water surrounded by a hard shell called a hull. As the popcorn is heated, the water turns into steam, which builds pressure inside the kernel. When the hull can no longer contain the pressure —POP! — the kernel explodes, and a fluffy new piece of popcorn is born.”
Does air pressure affect popcorn?
Air pressure and temperature do affect the popping of popcorn. Popcorn pops because the moisture inside kernel heats and becomes steam. The steam forces the popcorn open. Popcorn pops best at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What makes a popcorn kernel pop?
As the kernel heats up, the water expands, building pressure against the hard starch surface. Eventually, this outer layer gives way, causing the popcorn to explode. As it explodes, the soft starch inside the popcorn becomes inflated and bursts, turning the kernel inside out.
Is popcorn an example of Boyle’s Law?
The Process of a Kernel Turning into a Popcorn Along with this, pressure decreases, which follows Boyle’s law (pressure and volume are reverse.)
Why does popcorn lose mass when popped?
The mass of the corn decreases slightly after popping. Popping corn contains a small amount of water. During the popping process this water turns to steam and escapes into the at- mosphere. In this way a small amount of mass is lost.
Does high pressure cause high temperature?
For example, if air pressure increases, the temperature must increase. If air pressure decreases, the temperature decreases. It also explains why air gets colder at higher altitudes, where pressure is lower.
Is microwave popcorn worse than air popped?
While microwave popcorn is typically higher in calories and sodium and lower in fiber than the air-popped variety, the main reason it’s less healthy is that it often contains trans fats.
What pressure does popcorn pop?
around 135 psi
When the popcorn reaches a temperature of 180 C (356 F), the pressure inside the kernel is around 135 psi (930 kPa), which is sufficient pressure to rupture the popcorn hull, essentially turning the kernel inside-out.