How to boil and egg (technical) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

rubicon · 09-23-2003, 01:05 PM

Last night I went to Google and typed "how long to boil egg". I found the following page in the first few results - courtesy of the European Journal of Physics

The text:

How long does it take to boil an egg? A simple approach to the energy transfer equation

P Roura, J Fort and J Saurina

GRM, Departament de Física, Universitat de Girona, E17071-Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Received 14 July 1999, in final form 16 September 1999

Abstract. The heating of simple geometric objects immersed in an isothermal bath is analysed qualitatively through Fourier's law. The approximate temperature evolution is compared with the exact solution obtained by solving the transport differential equation, the discrepancies being smaller than 20%. Our method succeeds in giving the solution as a function of the Fourier modulus so that the scale laws hold. It is shown that the time needed to homogenize temperature variations that extend over mean distances xm is approximately xm2/, where is the thermal diffusivity. This general relationship also applies to atomic diffusion. Within the approach presented there is no need to write down any differential equation. As an example, the analysis is applied to the process of boiling an egg.

Needlesss to say, I didn't bother solving the math problem.

edmos1 · 09-23-2003, 03:33 PM

that explains alot

Binder · 09-23-2003, 06:00 PM

eggs don't boil, water does.

rubicon · 09-24-2003, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Binder
eggs don't boil, water does.

That really opens up a philosophical conversation, does it not?

Hmm, the contents of the egg are liquid and partial solid. At any time does the liquid in the egg reach a boiling point?

Binder · 09-24-2003, 09:24 AM

actually, more of a scientific discussion.

numist_net · 09-24-2003, 10:01 AM

whats strange is in order to make the change from a liquid to a solid, you heat it, and yet its completely enclosed by a shell.

What strange physics is this?

Ripsaw · 09-24-2003, 10:47 AM

It's the effect of heat on protein, no?

rubicon · 09-24-2003, 11:47 AM

I have no idea. So much science, so little time!

Cynthetiq · 09-26-2003, 09:31 AM

15 minutes from the time you put the egg and water on the stove until you can cool it under the faucet and eat

rubicon · 09-26-2003, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
15 minutes from the time you put the egg and water on the stove until you can cool it under the faucet and eat

That concise answer would have been perfect at the time!

09-23-2003, 01:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	How to boil and egg (technical) Last night I went to Google and typed "how long to boil egg". I found the following page in the first few results - courtesy of the European Journal of Physics The text: How long does it take to boil an egg? A simple approach to the energy transfer equation P Roura, J Fort and J Saurina GRM, Departament de Física, Universitat de Girona, E17071-Girona, Catalonia, Spain Received 14 July 1999, in final form 16 September 1999 Abstract. The heating of simple geometric objects immersed in an isothermal bath is analysed qualitatively through Fourier's law. The approximate temperature evolution is compared with the exact solution obtained by solving the transport differential equation, the discrepancies being smaller than 20%. Our method succeeds in giving the solution as a function of the Fourier modulus so that the scale laws hold. It is shown that the time needed to homogenize temperature variations that extend over mean distances xm is approximately xm2/, where is the thermal diffusivity. This general relationship also applies to atomic diffusion. Within the approach presented there is no need to write down any differential equation. As an example, the analysis is applied to the process of boiling an egg. Needlesss to say, I didn't bother solving the math problem. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

09-24-2003, 10:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	It's the effect of heat on protein, no? __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

09-24-2003, 11:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	I have no idea. So much science, so little time! __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.

09-26-2003, 09:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	15 minutes from the time you put the egg and water on the stove until you can cool it under the faucet and eat __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

09-23-2003, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
edmos1 Daddy Location: Right next door to Hell	that explains alot

09-23-2003, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Binder Insane Location: between lost and confused	eggs don't boil, water does.

09-24-2003, 09:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Binder Insane Location: between lost and confused	actually, more of a scientific discussion.

09-24-2003, 10:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
numist_net Banned Location: UCSD	whats strange is in order to make the change from a liquid to a solid, you heat it, and yet its completely enclosed by a shell. What strange physics is this?