Why do popcorns pop ?

Answer 1

As with all cereal grains, each kernel of popcorn contains a certain amount of moisture in its starchy endosperm. Unlike most other grains, the outer hull, or pericarp, of the popcorn kernel is thick and impervious to moisture.

As the kernel is heated past the boiling point, water in the kernel begins to turn to steam, generating an internal pressure of about 9 atm. In kernels of other grains (and in damaged kernels of popcorn), this steam escapes as fast as it forms, but in the tightly sealed popcorn kernel, the steam is held tight by the pericarp and the pressure starts to build until the pericarp suddenly ruptures, causing a small explosion. The force of the explosion turns the kernel inside out. More importantly, because the moisture is evenly distributed throughout the starchy endosperm, the sudden expansion turns the endosperm into an airy foam which gives popcorn its unique texture.

Two explanations exist for kernels which do not pop, known in the popcorn industry as "old maids," after being exposed to high temperatures. The first is that unpopped kernels do not have enough moisture to create enough steam for an explosion. The second explanation, according to research led by Dr. Bruce Hamaker of Purdue University, is that the unpopped kernel may have a leaky hull.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn

Answer 2

Popcorn pops because of minute amounts of water inside the skin. Even though popcorn is very dry, it requires moisture to pop. Too much moisture, and it pops terribly, not enough and it doesn't pop at all.

When the water inside the skin of the kernal heats up it vapourises and begins to expand. If enough water is present, it will expand so much that it will cause the kernal to explode.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Water fom popcorn gets converted into vapour and comes out making small holes.

Answer 4

It was so hot here one day that a whole field of corn popped.
The cows in the pasture thought the popped corn was snow, and they almost froze to death.

Answer 5

I was gonna be a smartass until I read daddys message above lmao ... but ummm oh well ... I would pop too if you put my butt in a fire lol

Answer 6

Because when the moisture of the kernals come in contact with the hot oil it causes them to combust.

Answer 7

pop corn pop coz its POP corn.
its suppose to pop otherwise we wont call it POP corn!!!

Answer 8

snap and cracklecorn sounded too weird