(BONUS) Why does popcorn pop?

0:00Welcome to Kids Learning Lab, a learning podcast made just for kids. Welcome back to another Kids Learning Lab bonus episode. Bonus episodes come every two days and we explain a random fact that you might have. Today's question is, have you ever watched popcorn cartels jump and pop in the microwave? Every popcorn kernel has a tiny drop of water trapped inside a hard shell. When you heat the kernel, that water turns into steam and steam needs a lot more space than water does. The pressure keeps building and building because the steam wants to escape until the shell finally bursts open, turning the kernel inside out into that fluffy white popcorn we left to eat. That loud pop you hear is the sound of the shell cracking open. So popcorn popped because of trapped steam trying to escape.

1:06If you want to learn more about popcorn kernels, you can listen to our popcorn episode. Just search for it at kidslearninglab.com slash episodes. Thanks for listening. The next bonus episode will come this Monday. Our next episode, How Do You Get Sick, is coming Saturday, September 12th. Thanks for listening to Kids Learning Lab. Sign up for the free newsletter at kidslearninglab.com slash newsletter.