Chemistry of Cooking

States of Matter 

Subsequently, I delved into the molecular structure of states of matter.  Quickly, I discovered that the information I learned as a scholar has evolved.   The three states of matter, have been expanded into five states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, plasma, and Bose-Einstein Condensates.  Here is a brief explanation of each state of matter.  A solid maintains a fixed shape, and volume. Solids are not easy to compress.  This is due to the high density of molecules.   The particles do not have as much kinetic energy due to the lack of space between them.  An important note is that there is more than one type of solid.  An example of another solid is a soft solid, such as butter.  Soft solids can act like a liquid or a solid.  This is higher level than most early childhood scholars will achieve.  However, I noted it because there may be that one scholar that will inquire about its characteristics.  It is important to be able to explain that there are soft solids.

Next is liquid.   A liquid will change to fit its container but has a fixed volume.  Water has more potential energy than a solid because there is more freedom for the particles to move. Though its particles can shift and flow, it is not easy to compress due to the lack of space between the particles.  You cannot take a liquid and squish it into a ball.  Water and oil are great examples of a Newtonian liquid.  “Newtonian fluids, such as water or cooking oil, don’t change their behavior as a result of how they have been handled, such as having been mixed or being left stagnant for days”.⁹ Cake Batter is a Non-Newtonian fluid.  Non-Newtonian fluids are both liquid and solid.¹⁰ This concept is above the comprehension of most early childhood scholars.  However, a great experiment to demonstrate Non-Newtonian fluid is what I call “Oobleck” thanks to Dr. Seuss.  Oobleck is cornstarch and water mixed together.  It appears similar to a cake batter but when you scoop it into your hand and squeeze it hardens.  Yet, as soon as you open your hand it flows back to liquid.  It is quite fun. I will warn you that it is extremely messy but easy to clean up.  Colloids are another type of liquid that need to clarified.  Colloids are substances such as blood or milk.  “A colloid is a solution that has particles ranging between 1 and 1000 nanometers in diameter, yet are still able to remain evenly distributed throughout the solution”.¹¹

After liquid, there is gas.  Gas will assume the shape and volume of its container.  This is due to the amount of free space between particles.  This means it has a lot of kinetic energy due to the space. That free space makes it easy to compress, as well.  Example of gases are oxygen and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide occurs in cooking when baking powder is mixed with a liquid and heat is applied. It can occur when baking soda and vinegar are mixed which has created the “lava” component for many scholars’ volcano science experiments.  Dry ice also gives off carbon dioxide gas. 

Now, here are the higher level states of matter.  Plasma is similar to gas but has free ions and electrons that gives it the ability to conduct electricity.  The particles exist in an excited state and can jump energy levels which gives off light.  Plasma is easy to compress due to the free space between particles.  “Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC) occur when a gas of bosonic particles is cooled below a critical temperature and condenses”.¹² Currently, the academic standards for Kindergarten focuses on the three original states of matter. Plasma, and Bose-Einstein, while vital to know, are not included in this research beyond acknowledging their existence.   Basically, my scholars will know that plasma and BEC exist but that they will learn about them later in their education.