The Frankenstein marshmallow in microwave science experiment brings together the thrill of Halloween and the excitement of hands-on science.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you put a marshmallow in the microwave? It’s like watching a puffy cloud come to life! This fun experiment lets us explore the amazing world of food science while creating a delicious, sticky mess.
And since it’s Halloween, we are not using just regular marshmallows. We are going to microwave Frankenstein marshmallow peeps! Inspired by Victor Frankenstein, we will attempt to reanimate the monster’s head using the power of a microwave.
So grab your lab coat, unleash your inner Dr. Frankenstein, and bring your Frankenstein marshmallow to life!
Halloween Frankenstein Marshmallow in Microwave Experiment
Materials:
- Frankenstein Marshmallow Peeps
- Microwave-Safe Plate
Instructions:
1. Place the Frankenstein marshmallow peep in the middle of a microwave-safe plate. Do not place the peep too close to the edge of the plate, as it will expand and potentially ooze over.
2. Set the timer to 50 seconds and turn on the microwave (the timing might differ depending on the microwave). Stand back and watch through the microwave’s window.
3. After about 10 seconds, the marshmallow will start to puff up and grow in size. The outer sugar layer will also begin to crack. You may need to add additional time if you have a weaker microwave.
When Frankenstein’s head stops expanding, and you see brown spots start to form, stop the microwave (you may need to open the microwave door before the entire 50 seconds is up to stop the heating process), quickly remove the plate, and put it on the kitchen counter for comparison.
Watch out, the plate might be hot!
4. The microwaved marshmallow peep will start to shrink as soon as you take it out of the microwave. As swiftly as possible, place an original Frankenstein peep next to the microwaved one to see how much the peep grew.
5. Once the microwaved marshmallow shrinks back down completely, you can use your fingers (carefully, as the marshmallow might be hot) or a fork to pull it. Notice that the marshmallow will stay in whatever shape you make it and become stiff and crunchy.
What Happens When You Put a Marshmallow Peep in the Microwave
Marshmallows may seem dry, but they actually contain a significant amount of water. This hidden moisture is the key to their expansion in the microwave.
When you place a marshmallow in the microwave, here’s what happens:
- Microwave energy excites the water molecules inside the marshmallow.
- These molecules start to vibrate rapidly, generating heat.
- As the temperature rises, the water turns into steam.
Since marshmallow peeps are made of a complex network of sugar molecules, the sugar structure acts like a flexible cage, trapping the steam inside. As more steam forms, it pushes against the sugar structure, causing the marshmallow to expand.
But wait, there’s more! As the temperature rises, the sugar starts to caramelize, turning your marshmallow into a delicious, gooey mess. This browning is called the Maillard reaction. The gelatin also melts, so when your marshmallow cools down, it loses its shape. The result? A dry, crunchy treat that’s perfect for your monster mash bash!
If your kids had a lot of fun with this experiment and want more, they will love the original Marshmallow in the Microwave Experiment! This delicious edible experiment takes a deep dive into marshmallow science and discovers the timing for the perfect marshmallow.
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