The experiments that show the shocking realities of polar conditions are amazing. In this sense, using extreme cold to transform everyday objects into surreal scenes can provide both an educational and entertaining insight into life in these inhospitable areas.
In this context, a recent viral video by scientist Matty Jordan, from the Scott Base in Antarctica, has aroused curiosity and astonishment on social networks, spectacularly showing the impact of the polar cold freezing a serving of noodles in the open air.
In the video, you can see a bowl with noodles that, thanks to the inclement temperatures, are completely frozen. But best of all, the chopsticks that hold the noodles seem to be suspended in midair, holding their position due to the instant freezing of the noodles.
"If you live in a place with these temperatures, it's a fun experiment you can do with your kids," Jordan comments in the video's description, adding a touch of humor to the phenomenon. As the scientist comments, it is better to eat them inside so that there are no problems.
The phenomenon of noodles suspended in the air, which Jordan says should "be on display in a museum of modern art," is a clear example of how water in food can freeze rapidly when exposed to extremely low temperatures.
Pasta, like noodles in this case, is made up mostly of water and starch. When cooked, the boiling water causes the starch in the pasta to swell and become mushy. Later, when the cooked noodles are exposed to temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius, the water trapped in the starch freezes almost instantly.
This rapid freezing process causes the noodles to become rigid and maintain the shape they were in when frozen. That is why the noodles, which were being held by chopsticks at the time of freezing, seem to be suspended in the air, maintaining their position.
