Question 1

What is a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

A chemical reaction is when two or more things mix together and change into something new. It's like a magic trick, but in science!

Question 2

How does heating food cause a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

When we heat food, the molecules inside it move faster and bump into each other. This can change the way they are arranged, making something new and tasty.

Question 3

Why do apples turn brown when cut?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because when we cut them, the inside gets air. Air causes a funny chemical reaction that makes the apple's inside change color.

Question 4

Why does bread rise when we bake it?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of yeast, a tiny creature, that eats sugar and makes gas. This gas makes little bubbles in the dough, making it fluffy.

Question 5

Why does popcorn pop?

Accepted Answer

Popcorn pops because the water inside it gets very hot and turns into steam. The steam pushes hard against the popcorn until it explodes.

Question 6

How does sugar turn into caramel?

Accepted Answer

When we heat sugar, it melts and changes color to brown, becoming caramel. The heat causes the sugar to change into something sweet and gooey.

Question 7

Why do cakes rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Cakes rise because baking powder or baking soda makes bubbles when heated. These bubbles make the cake fluffy and soft.

Question 8

What happens to meat when we cook it?

Accepted Answer

When we cook meat, heat changes its color and texture. The protein inside the meat gets tighter, making it look and taste different.

Question 9

Why do cookies get crispy in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Cookies get crispy because the heat takes out the water. Without the water, they turn hard and crunchy.

Question 10

What makes bananas turn brown as they get older?

Accepted Answer

Bananas turn brown because they produce a gas called ethylene. This gas speeds up a chemical reaction that changes their color.

Question 11

Why do eggs turn solid when cooked?

Accepted Answer

Eggs have proteins that change shape when heated. This makes the liquid egg turn solid.

Question 12

How does milk turn into yogurt?

Accepted Answer

Milk turns into yogurt when bacteria change some of the sugars into acids. These acids make the milk thicker and more tangy.

Question 13

Why does ice cream melt in the sun?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts because the sun warms it up. The heat makes the ice cream soft and turns it back into liquid.

Question 14

Why does bread get hard when it's old?

Accepted Answer

Bread gets hard because it loses moisture or water over time. Without the water, it becomes stiff and hard.

Question 15

Why do vegetables change color when cooked?

Accepted Answer

When we cook vegetables, the heat breaks down some chemicals inside. This can change their color, like green beans turning a brighter green.

Question 16

How does baking soda help cookies rise?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda makes bubbles of gas when mixed with an acid. These bubbles help cookies puff up and get soft.

Question 17

What happens to cheese when it's melted?

Accepted Answer

When cheese melts, heat makes the fats and proteins inside it mix more easily. This makes it gooey and stretchy.

Question 18

Why do we season food with salt?

Accepted Answer

Salt brings out the flavors in the food. It makes everything taste better by highlighting the good tastes.

Question 19

How does butter turn into ghee?

Accepted Answer

When we heat butter, its water and milk solids separate. What's left is the clear, golden ghee that we use for cooking.

Question 20

Why do onions make you cry when you cut them?

Accepted Answer

Onions make you cry because they release a special gas when cut. This gas mixes with the air and can irritate your eyes, making them water.

The Chemical Reactions in Cooking: Science Behind the Kitchen - 20 FAQs Explained Simply