RE: [ATM] RE: glass heating

[Charles Mitchard <charlesmitchard@iinet.net.au>]

Hi Jerry,
I expect this is a matter of zero nucleation sites on the inside of the cup.
an old container has scratches that the bubbles from boiling can form, grow 
and break free.
Very smooth surfaces dont have these sites available so the bubbles cannot 
form until you disturb the liquid whereupon it instantly boils.
Heating water in a pressure sterilizer in a beaker does the same thing.
Release the pressure carefully, remove the beaker, drop something in and 
watch the explosion.


>Apparently styro foam cups are dangerous to use for heating water etc. I
>have not experience it but a friend's teenager was scalded when he took a
>styrofoam cup of heated water from the microwave. Once in his hand and
>turned to walk away the water in the cup erupted violently causeing bad
>burns on his face and hands. I have no explaination for that event, but the
>doctor that treated him said he had seen several patients who had similar
>accidents.


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