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SPARK
Peep Science 101: The Magnificent Melting Microwave Peep
01
Apr
Apr
Love them or hate them, Peeps will always hold a place in just about everyone’s Easter basket. So this week we’re doing a series of three S.T.E.A.M.-based experiments involving the cute confections!
Supplies Needed:
- Microwave
- Microwaveable plate
- Peeps
Instructions:
1. Put the Peep on a medium to large microwaveable plate. Be sure to place in the middle of the plate.
2. Insert plate into microwave and set on low to medium power (microwaves vary) for 20-25 seconds.
3. Watch what happens!
But why?
Besides being adorable, Peeps are also marshmallows which are mostly made up of sugar, water and air bubbles. When you microwave the marshmallows, the water molecules start to move/vibrate which starts to heat up the water. This causes the sugar to warm up and the air bubbles. As the time in the microwave increases, the heated air molecules start to and move around faster, pushing against the marshmallow walls which are now softened due to the warm sugar. This allows for the air molecules to start to stretch and deform the Peep. This is what causes the Peep to start to expand.Why does it collapse? Like any bubble, if expanded too much the air bubbles start to burst causing our poor Peep to collapse upon itself. RIP Mister Bun Bun Peep.
