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Why the sky is blue and the sunset red: Rayleigh scattering and the length of the air The sky is blue and the sunset is red, yet the sunlight is the same. Air scatters short blue waves about four times more strongly than long red ones, a… Physics4 min read Why popcorn pops: a sealed kernel, trapped steam and a 180 °C tipping point A popcorn kernel is a seed with a sealed hull and a little water inside. Heat it and the water can't boil away, so steam pressure builds, like a tiny pressure… Food Science4 min read Why popcorn pops: a pea-sized pressure cooker that gives way at 180 °C A popcorn kernel is a pressure cooker the size of a pea. Its tough hull seals in about 14% water, so as the pan heats, the water cannot boil away and the… Food Science3 min read