I’m sure everyone has heard the phrase “a watched pot never boils.” That always seems to be the case when you’re in a hurry, and hungry. When you stand there and watch the bubbles form on the bottom of the pot, have you ever wondered what was happening just before the water boils? What is going on inside that water? What is really happening? Well, here is a definition:

The solubility of gases decreases when the temperature is raised, and that why the dissolved air bubbles out from the water. Then, as the boiling point of water is reached (100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit), water vapor starts to form inside the liquid in the form of bubbles.

It is really interesting to watch the process just before the water actually boils. As the bubbles begin to dance forcing the gases to the surface of the pot, they form some of the most spectacular patterns one can imagine. Rows, circles, the way light is reflected in patterns, the way the bubbles come and go, the way they ebb and flow. All very interesting and shouldn’t be missed.

So when you’re standing there waiting for the water in the pot to boil, take the time to watch this incredible phenomenon. You’ll be amazed at what you see. And remember, the patterns will never be repeated from pot to pot. Oh, for some interesting fun, add just a drop of food coloring to the pot and watch how the water interacts with it.

Rob – Perspective Photographer