It takes a very special kind of corn to turn it from a kernel into a light and airy treat. What turns a hard kernel of pre-popped popcorn has to do with science. When water gets too hot, it will turn to steam and expand. With no place to escape, the steam begins to build pressure. So there is water inside of a popcorn kernel? 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!
It happens very fast which is what creates the popping sound. Do you want to see what popping corn looks like in slow motion? Of course, you do. This unique kind of corn originated in the Americas. When European explorers came to what is now North America, they saw Aztecs making headdresses out of popcorn and using it in festivities. Some historians believe there may have even been popcorn served at the first Thanksgiving! Science can be so tasty sometimes. Mask Policy Update: Masks are required indoors for all visitors ages 2 and older.
Currently logged out. Current Members Educators. Today's Hours : 10 am—5 pm. This is why popcorn jumps as it cooks. You are now leaving the popcorn. All About Popcorn. Our Story. Our Recipes. Ask Poppy. Power Pops. Attempting to pop field corn using oil is more likely to produce a snack more like Corn Nuts, where the corn kernels expand but don't break apart.
Popcorn is not the only grain that pops! Sorghum, quinoa, millet, and amaranth grain all puff up when heated as the pressure from expanding steam breaks open the seed coat. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Thanks for sharing your comment, Jordan! We're really glad we got to learn new things together, ED! Thanks for hanging out with us in Wonderopolis! We hope you'll continue by going on a Wonder Journey of your own! A good place to start is popcorn. That's a great question, McKinsie H.! Here's what we found at www. Utter's Class! We're so glad you are hanging out with us in Wonderopolis!
We WONDER if you can think of other types of food that make noises when you cook them like when you boil, or simmer, or fry them! Hi, Torrance H.! Each popcorn kernel is covered in a hard shell called a hull. That shell is so hard, that our teeth have a tough time breaking through it, causing pain when you try to bite into it or worse, a piece of your tooth to be broken off!
When popcorn hasn't popped and is still in kernel-form, it's just too hard for our teeth to break open. Trying to break open the kernel with your teeth could hurt and even damage a tooth, so it's best to not try it! That sounds like such a fun and tasty festival, Room !
We hope you have a really awesome time this weekend! Hi Destiny! We've had so much fun! Yippee, we're so happy that you are having fun and learning at Wonderopolis, Keke1! We'll see you soon! We love popcorn, too, Syd! It's fun to eat at the movie theater, at home during family movie nights, or as a snack anytime of the day! Thanks for sharing your comment with us!
Way to go! Every kernel of popcorn has a tiny droplet of water inside of it that is surrounded by a hull hard shell. We encourage you to re-explore this Wonder to learn more about popcorn! We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature.
Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition. You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is:. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. What makes popcorn pop? Does all corn make popcorn? How long have people been eating popcorn?
Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Are you hungry yet? The transformation from popcornkernel to popcorn puff happens in the blink of an eye.
A neat video from Popcorn. What better way to celebrate learning about popcorn than eating popcorn! Take a field trip to a local grocery store with an adult friend or family member. Find the popcorn section and check out all the varieties of popcorn available. Pick a couple to try at home, then head home to get popping! Which type of popcorn is your favorite? What toppings, if any, do you like? Though there may not have been a kernel of truth to the tale of the popcorn demon, inventing stories about food can be a fun way to stimulate imagination and conversation around the dinner table with your family.
Challenge yourself to get creative with your favorite and least favorite foods and watch as broccoli turns into a miniature forest, blueberries become tiny bowling balls, and flying saucer pancakes make their way past a pad of butter moon right before your eyes.
Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words hull pop sofa decade tasty salty legend demon pressure droplet beloved sidekick consumption kernel savory phenomenon garland popularity Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Tom Mar 19, Char Jan 27, Hiiii, I'm doing a science project of popcorn and this is the best website ever.
Thx a lot Wonderopolis. Jan 27, Hi I'm haze and I'm doing a class project of popcorn this helped a lot. We're glad this Wonder helped, haze! Barry E. Feb 11, I really enjoyed this! It was really interesting!
Lindsey Feb 8, I'm doing a science project and this helps a lot. Thank you Wonderopolis for helping. Makenzie Feb 8, Feb 8, We're glad, Lindsey! Mia Mar 1, I'm really loving this website. It gives me so much information.
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