Popcorn Popping Simulator (2D)

This 2D simulator models a pan of popcorn kernels from above: turn up the stove power to heat the pan, and watch each kernel's internal temperature climb toward the pan temperature while trapped moisture flashes to steam and internal pressure builds. When a kernel's hull reaches its breaking point — around 135°C and 9 atmospheres of internal pressure — it ruptures and the gelatinized starch inside explosively expands into a fluffy white puff. Adjust the moisture-content slider to see how kernels near the ideal 13–14% moisture pop fastest and most reliably, while kernels that are too dry or too wet pop late, weakly, or not at all, and watch the live pressure, temperature and pop-rate readouts track the whole batch in real time.