Milk spills over when it is boiled in an open vessel. The boiling of m...
Sub-cooled boiling
When milk is boiled in an open vessel, it has a tendency to spill over due to a phenomenon known as sub-cooled boiling. This occurs because milk contains dissolved gases and volatile compounds, such as water vapor, that are released as it heats up. The release of these gases creates bubbles that rise to the surface and cause the milk to overflow.
Explanation:
Here is a detailed explanation of sub-cooled boiling and why it leads to milk spilling over when boiled in an open vessel:
1. Boiling point: The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. For water, the boiling point at sea level is 100 degrees Celsius. However, milk has a slightly higher boiling point due to the presence of dissolved solids.
2. Sub-cooling: Sub-cooling is the process of cooling a liquid below its boiling point. In the case of milk, it is often stored in refrigerators, which lowers its temperature below its boiling point.
3. Volatile compounds: Milk contains water, proteins, fats, lactose, and dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide. When milk is heated, these volatile compounds begin to evaporate and form bubbles.
4. Nucleation: Nucleation is the formation of small bubbles or nuclei in a liquid. In the case of milk, as it is heated, small gas bubbles start to form due to the release of dissolved gases and volatile compounds.
5. Boiling: As the temperature of the milk continues to rise, these bubbles grow in size and rise to the surface. This process is known as boiling. However, in the case of milk, the bubbles are not stable and tend to collapse before reaching the surface.
6. Overflow: The collapsing bubbles create a turbulent motion in the milk, causing it to froth and rise rapidly. This frothing action leads to an increase in the volume of the milk, resulting in the milk spilling over the edges of the vessel.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, when milk is boiled in an open vessel, the phenomenon of sub-cooled boiling occurs. The release of dissolved gases and volatile compounds from the milk creates bubbles that collapse before reaching the surface, causing the milk to spill over. It is important to use caution and stir the milk while boiling to prevent it from overflowing.