Why Do Tiny Bubbles Cling to the Pot Before the Water Boils?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do tiny bubbles cling to the pot before the water boils?

The Big Idea

Tiny bubbles cling to the pot before boiling because air is leaving the water as it warms! Dissolved air cannot stay in warm water, so it forms bubbles on the pot. True boiling comes later, when the water itself turns to steam.

Air In Water

Step one: water holds air. Cold tap water has a little air mixed right into it, which fish use to breathe. You cannot see it, because it is dissolved.

Warm Water

Step two: warm water lets go of air. Warm water cannot hold as much dissolved air, so it escapes. The air collects in tiny bubbles on the rough pot wall and rises.

Real Boiling

Step three: real boiling begins. At 100 degrees Celsius, the water itself turns into steam bubbles. Those big bubbles rise fast and burst at the top.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, tiny bubbles are air leaving the water. As the pot heats, more bubbles show up. Later, big bubbles are made of steam. And when they roll constantly, that is a rolling boil.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Steam is invisible water gas, and the white cloud is tiny droplets. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level. Boiling water cooks pasta and eggs well. Stay back from steam, because it can burn skin.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up watching a pot, stay back from the steam. Note when the first tiny bubbles appear. Then note when big rolling bubbles begin. Tell what changed.

Outro

Early bubbles are air, and boiling bubbles are steam. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!