the smell of sizzling food reaches you several meter away but to get t...
The Science behind Smelling Hot and Cold Food
Have you ever wondered why the smell of sizzling food reaches you several meters away while you have to get close to cold food to get the smell? The answer lies in the science behind how our sense of smell works.
How We Smell
Our sense of smell is closely tied to our sense of taste. When we smell something, it is because molecules from that object are floating in the air and travelling to our nose. These molecules then bind to receptors in our nose, which send signals to our brain that we perceive as smell.
Why Hot Food Smells Stronger
When food is heated, it releases more volatile molecules into the air. These molecules are smaller and lighter, so they can travel further and faster than the heavier, larger molecules that are released from cold food. This is why the smell of sizzling food can reach us from several meters away.
Why Cold Food Smells Weaker
On the other hand, when food is cold, it releases fewer volatile molecules into the air. These molecules are also heavier and larger, so they travel slower and have a shorter range than the molecules released from hot food. This is why we have to get closer to cold food to smell it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the science behind smelling hot and cold food lies in the amount and size of volatile molecules released into the air. Hot food releases more, smaller molecules that can travel further, while cold food releases fewer, larger molecules that have a shorter range. So the next time you smell sizzling food from a distance, you can thank the science behind our sense of smell for making it possible.