What makes popcorn pop science project?

Lesson Plan. Popcorn pops because each kernel has a tiny bit of water inside it. When the kernels are heated, the water inside heats up to the point where it exerts enough pressure to burst the kernel open. The soft material inside puffs up as it explodes.

What is the popcorn experiment?

Dancing Popcorn Experiment Explanation The gas forms bubbles that collect around the popcorn kernels. What is this? The gas bubbles lift the kernels up to the surface of the liquid, and when the gas is released, the kernels fall back down into the jar, making it look like the kernels are dancing or jumping!

What temperature does popcorn pop science project?

about 180 degrees Celsius
Due to the hard and mostly nonporous shell, the steam has nowhere to go, resulting in a buildup of pressure inside the kernel. Once the pressure gets high enough and the temperature reaches about 180 degrees Celsius (355 degrees Fahrenheit), the kernel hull bursts and the popcorn is turned inside out.

How does popcorn pop chemistry?

Popcorn kernels contain around 14% water by mass. As they are heated, this water vaporises; however, it remains trapped inside the kernel, and so the continued heating raises the pressure inside the kernel’s shell. Eventually, usually at around 180˚C, the kernel’s shell will crack, and the corn will pop.

Does popcorn sink or float?

What happens? Popcorn floats because it has a lower density than water. Density is the amount of mass in a given volume and it is a measure of how tightly matter is packed inside an object. The un-popped kernels sink because they have a higher density than water.

Why does popcorn pop chemistry for kids?

According to Wonderopolis: “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!

What is popping in science?

Background. The most intriguing part of popcorn is the science behind how it pops. When a popcorn kernel is heated, the trapped water in the endosperm turns into steam, building up pressure inside the pericarp. This pressurized, super-heated steam transforms the soft starch in the endosperm into a gelatinous material.

What sound does popcorn make when it cooks?

Researchers know why popcorn kernels burst open, but they’ve long puzzled over the source of the “pop” sound. When popcorn heats up, the moisture inside turns into steam, building up pressure until the hull splits and fluffy white corn bursts out, often as the kernel sails into the air.

Does temperature affect popcorn popping?

According to NASA, the moisture inside a popcorn kernel turns to steam at about 450 degrees Fahrenheit before the kernel pops. If the temperature is below 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the popcorn won’t pop because the moisture inside the kernels has not yet evaporated.

What temperature should popcorn be cooked at?

356 degrees Fahrenheit
The pair applied their knowledge of engineering and thermodynamics to the task, calculating average hull strength, standard water boiling conditions and critical kernel pressure, and found that 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature at which popcorn should be cooked.

What are chemical properties of popcorn?

The popcorn hybrids contained 3.8–4.6% crude fat, 8.1–10.5% crude protein, 0.07–0.23% reducing sugars and 61.0–67.9% starch, in which 27.0–28.5% of the starch was amylose. Individual kernel volume (size of the kernel) was correlated with starch content (r=0.84).

What are the components of a whole grain of popcorn?

Popcorn is a whole grain and is made up of three components: the germ, endosperm, and pericarp (or hull) . Of the 4 most common types of corn —sweet, dent (also known as field), flint (also known as Indian corn), and popcorn—only popcorn pops!

Are there any experiments you can do with popcorn?

There are a lot of experiments you can try using popcorn. First, you need to figure out what you want to compare and what you can measure. For example: Variables: What is it that you want to compare?

What’s the best way to make popcorn on the stove?

Heat 3 tablespoons of oil on the stove until it reaches about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Put 1/4 cup of normal moisture popcorn in the pan, put the lid on, and let it pop for about 5 minutes. When the popcorn stops popping for 30 seconds, it’s time to remove the pan from heat.

How much water does it take for popcorn to pop?

Each kernel of popcorn contains a small drop of water stored inside a circle of soft starch. Popcorn needs between 13.5-14% moisture to pop. The soft starch is surrounded by the kernel’s hard outer surface. As the kernel heats up, the water begins to expand.