Science DON’T TRY AT HOME!

The Fat is on Fire

Introduction

Have you ever experienced a grease fire? If you have, you probably know that water doesn’t have a satisfying effect on the fire. Instead of extinguishing the fire, the water causes the fire to erupt and become bigger. Why does this happen?

Background

Water molecules consist of two hydrogen atoms atom and one oxygen atom. The oxygen atom offers water a negative charge while its hydrogen atoms carry a positive charge which makes a water molecule polar. Meanwhile, oils are nonpolar, and therefore repel water molecules instead of being attracted to them (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mix-it-up-with-oil-and-water/ – retrieved on Saturday, January 8, 2022).

Explanation

Grease fires are about 232-260 degrees Celsius (450-500 degrees Fahrenheit) so when the water encounters the sizzling oil, not only do they repel, but the water turns into vapor. As the water vapor rises, it carries the grease with it, making the fire spread. When the water is poured on the fire, it can also create splashes around the pan.

How to Stop a Grease Fire

There are a few ways to extinguish a grease fire. You could turn down the fuel or place a lid over the pan to prevent any air from getting in. The safest way would be to end the fire with a fire extinguisher. If you do not have one at your house or kitchen, baking soda could also work, but it would be rather dangerous for you as you would have to get near the fire. What you should never pour over a grease fire would be water, flour or sugar. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIRx764-88 –  retrieved on Saturday, January 8, 2022/https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-put-out-a-grease-fire/ – retrieved on Saturday, January 8, 2022)

Anyone Fancy a Coke Slushy?

Introduction

You probably are familiar with the fact that Coke a Cola^®, Pepsi^® or any carbonated drink explodes when it experiences a rather long time in your freezer. When you open your freezer once more, you find the walls covered in sticky slush. Well, there goes your drink.

 Background

When frozen, water expands instead of shrinking which is most unusual. Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. When the hydrogen atoms are attracted to the oxygen, they form a curious crystal structure. The crystals take up more space than before when the water was in its liquid form, causing ice to expand (https://sciencing.com/soda-explode-freezers-5145369.html – retrieved on Sunday, January 9, 2022).

Explanation

A carbonated drink container holds room only enough for the liquid inside it. As it freezes, the water expands, pushing the CO₂ outwards. Once there is no more room in the can or bottle, it “explodes” and the drink is pushed outward (https://sodapopcraft.com/what-happens-if-you-leave-soda-in-the-freezer/ – retrieved on Sunday, January 9, 2022).

How to Avoid Your Coke Slushy

Perhaps the safest way to enjoy your cold carbonated drink without it exploding would be to put a timer on your clock so that you save your coke. According to SodaPopCraft.com (https://sodapopcraft.com/what-happens-if-you-leave-soda-in-the-freezer/ retrieved on Sunday, January 9, 2022) 20 minutes would be the maximum recommended time for your pop to stay in the freezer. It is also encouraged to cool your soda in another container and not the can or bottle that it came in.

Those Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Boil Water

Introduction

Has the thought of pouring a hot drink in a glass pitcher ever been in your mind? If it has, hopefully you did not go on with your idea. What would happen if you did? The glass would shatter, and your tasty drink would end up on your clean floor. Sorry, Mom.

Background

When a surface has a warmer temperature, it expands. When molecules are warmer, they move around more, therefore, they need more space. That causes solids to expand.

Explanation

As you pour the water in the glass, the inner layer of the glass begins to heat up. It quickly expands before the outer layer has time to heat up too. This causes the glass to shatter while trying to expand.

How to Not Break the Glass

There are a few ways to pour boiled water in a glass without breaking it, although it is not always convenient that it will not shatter. One way is to place another conductor (such as a metal spoon) in the glass so that it absorbs most of the heat. You could also try to pour the water very slowly to give time to the outer layer to warm up (https://www.miniphysics.com/cracking-glass-with-hot-water.html – retrieved on Saturday, January 8, 2022).