Top 9 Amazing Fun Facts About Volume: Uncover the Secrets of this Unsung Scientific Hero!

1. Bookish Beginnings

Before books became a "volume"inous presence in our lives, they were simply on a roll: The concept of "volume" that we know now, as the measurement of an object's three-dimensional space in cubic units, actually stems from the Latin word "volūmen," which means "roll of writing." A mere twist of fate brought this term into the mainstream as a reference for bound books or collections of manuscripts, deviating from rolls of parchment and scrolls of yore to the pages we leaf through now.
Source => wordnik.com

2. Marshmallow Marvels

Feeling deflated? Marshmallows can relate: As it turns out, these squishy confections are mostly air trapped in a stretchy substance that swells up when placed in a vacuum or heated in a microwave, thanks to Boyle's Law, Dalton's Law, and Charles' Law showcasing their voluminous secrets.
Source => scientificamerican.com

Did you know liquid crystals have a molecular structure that's a fine balance between the chaotic dance of liquids and the synchronized waltz of solids? Discover more about this fascinating substance!

=> Fun Facts about Solids

3. Egg White Wonders

Eggs-citing news from the world of culinary science: whippin' up a frothy fuss is all about egg white prowess! Rock-solid proteins from egg whites are the MVPs of foam formation, making your meringues, soufflés, and angel food cakes rise to cloud-like heights of yumminess: When egg whites are whipped, they undergo denaturation and coagulation, trapping air bubbles and creating a stable foam, thanks to protein films that defend against rupture. Remember, though, keep yolks and fat out of this party - it's a lean, foam-making machine!
Source => thefooduntold.com

4. Molecular Size Matters

Talk about molecular size insecurity: did you know van der Waals can help calculate molecular volume to understand how large and rigid a molecule is? It's not just our insecurities that these molecules have to worry about! The serious reveal: van der Waals molecular volume and surface are crucial in studying molecular interactions and biodistribution, being influenced by the size and rigidity of the chemical structure in fields like chromatography and MRI contrast agents.
Source => sciencedirect.com

5. Shrinking Brain Surprises

Don't lose your marbles — or your ping pong balls! The modern human brain might be on a downsizing spree: In just 3,000 years, our noggins have actually shrunk by the volume of four table tennis balls. Researchers uncovered this astonishing fact while examining cranial fossils and have come up with theories that range from the emergence of writing to the promotion of teamwork in increasingly complex societies — all proving that a smaller brain isn't necessarily a dumber brain!
Source => bbc.com

6. Speedy Sound Waves

Why did the sound wave join a synchronized swimming team? Sound is seriously speedier underwater: Sound travels faster in water due to its higher density, clocking in at an impressive 1500 meters per second compared to a mere 340 meters per second in air, although underwater acoustics still face challenges due to refraction from temperature and pressure changes.
Source => oceanexplorer.noaa.gov

7. Baby Bump Sanctuaries

Here's a rib-tickling fact for you: women have their very own, built-in "baby bump sanctuary"! The serious scoop: A 2003 study discovered that females possess a greater inclination of ribs, allowing their rib cage to expand significantly and accommodate larger abdominal volume displacements, making it ideal for pregnancy - but as a trade-off, their lung volume is typically 10-12% smaller than males of equal height and age.
Source => pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8. Pufferfish Puff Power

Puff, puff, pass! No, we're not talking about a certain illicit pastime, but rather the art of aquatic inflation: The black-saddled pufferfish is actually a masterful breather while puffing up, increasing its oxygen uptake rates up to five times its resting levels, primarily through its gills. Be warned though, this blow-up balloon act is quite the aerobic workout, leading to a post-deflation metabolic recovery period lasting an average of 5.6 hours.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

9. Perfect Popcorn Secrets

Next time you throw a popcorn party, don't invite aqua man: Optimal popcorn popping volume occurs at about 15.5 grams of water per 100 grams of dry basis popcorn, with any excess moisture causing a rubbery collapse of the pericarp and decreasing the pressure inside the kernel, leading to smaller, less voluminous popcorn.
Source => sciencedirect.com