Lessons from Grandma's Kitchen

“Amma, I'm confused about the behaviour of hot oil and hot water," my son shared his perplexity.

During the COVID lockdown, my son had the delight of spending invaluable days with his grandparents in our native place. He was like a little explorer, having loads of fun and learning so many new things.

Most of the daytime, he spent with his grandmother in the kitchen serving as her assistant. Two observations she made about hot oil and hot water captured his attention:

1. Burns from hot oil are more severe than burns from hot water.

2. Water takes more time to cool down to room temperature compared with oil. So, one should be patient when it comes to touching a vessel with boiled water compared to one with oil.

Curious for an explanation, he turned to his grandma, who playfully redirected him, saying, "Ask your science-savvy Amma!"

Upon returning to Mumbai, his curiosity prompted a conversation with me regarding grandma's kitchen safety advice. I explained that hot oil can reach higher temperatures than boiling water, hence causing more severe burns. Additionally, I clarified that water takes longer to cool because it retains heat for a longer duration compared to oil, an idea similar to specific heat capacity without diving into technical jargon.

The amazing thing we both realized was how science can explain everyday stuff, explaining what grandma knew from experience. It's a great example of how everyday experiences can serve as the foundation for learning and understanding broader scientific concepts.