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rdgt3000
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What is the purpose of boiling stones and why wouldn't you add one to an already hot liquid? Thanks for the help.
In summary, boiling stones serve to prevent the formation of large bubbles when boiling something, reducing the likelihood of the liquid boiling over. They are added at the beginning of the boiling process as they act as nucleation sites for bubble formation. It is not recommended to add boiling stones to an already hot liquid to avoid potential splashing and burns.
- #2
GCT
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If you ever take physical chemistry you'll learn that cavity formation, starting off as small bubbles, is initially disfavored because the external pressure on the bubble is greater with lower surface area, that is small bubbles tend to collapse than larger ones. So why do cavities form? Bubbles actually form on localized points within the medium, in the case the water, that serve as sites for nucleation (try researching "nucleation" on google). As in the case of boiling stones you'll see that that's where the initial bubble formation occurs. The bubbles start to form at a faster rate, as they can at times fuse together which facilitates bubble formation throughout the medium, since the bubbles are now progressively more stable (less likely to collapse). I'll add this later with the mathematical details.
- #3
Moonbear
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I suspect he was asking for a much simpler, and direct answer than that. 
All of what GCT wrote boils down (no pun intended) to they keep big bubbles from forming when you're boiling something, so it doesn't boil over. You don't add them to an already hot liquid because you don't want to splash the hot liquid on yourself when you drop them in. It's nothing more complicated than that.
All of what GCT wrote boils down (no pun intended) to they keep big bubbles from forming when you're boiling something, so it doesn't boil over. You don't add them to an already hot liquid because you don't want to splash the hot liquid on yourself when you drop them in. It's nothing more complicated than that.1. What are boiling stones?
Boiling stones are small, inert substances that are added to a liquid to promote even boiling. They have a rough surface that provides nucleation sites for bubbles to form, preventing the liquid from boiling over.
2. What are the most commonly used boiling stones?
The most commonly used boiling stones are porous materials such as pumice, granulated cork, or glass beads. These materials are inert and do not react with the liquid being boiled.
3. How do boiling stones work?
Boiling stones work by providing nucleation sites for bubbles to form in a liquid. This helps to prevent the liquid from boiling over and promotes even boiling. The rough surface of the boiling stones creates tiny pockets of air that act as starting points for bubbles to form.
4. When should boiling stones be used?
Boiling stones should be used when boiling liquids that have a tendency to foam or boil over. They are commonly used in chemistry labs when heating solutions or reactions, as well as in cooking to prevent liquids from boiling over.
5. How do you clean and store boiling stones?
Boiling stones should be cleaned and stored properly to ensure their effectiveness. They can be cleaned by rinsing with hot water and drying before use. After use, they should be thoroughly cleaned and stored in a dry place to prevent any bacterial growth.
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