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AJCham t1_j2a27fj wrote

Are you heating your coffee in a microwave? If so, the liquid can become superheated - that is, raised above its boiling point without actually boiling. Adding sugar creates nucleation sites on which gas can form, so the liquid suddenly and violently boils.

If you aren't microwaving, then I'm not sure what else could cause such a reaction.

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mrgreyeyes t1_j29zufk wrote

What do you mean with erupt?

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DjHalk45 OP t1_j2a7mgt wrote

Like mentors in soda

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Charming_Miss t1_j2a7sne wrote

How is that possible? What are you doing to your coffee?

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DjHalk45 OP t1_j2a931e wrote

Very hot

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j2ald51 wrote

How are you making you coffee very hot? What is the heat source, and where is the coffee when you add the brown sugar?

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DjHalk45 OP t1_j2alimd wrote

Just after taking it out the microwave

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j2apput wrote

Ahhhhh, I then yes as the top comment mentions what's happening is you're superheating the coffee. In order for water to boil, there needs to be something called a nucleation site, or a place for the water vapor bubbles to form in the liquid. If there are no nucleation sites, a liquid can actually get heated to well over its boiling temperature. Then, when we introduce nucleation sites, the liquid boils RAPIDLY and VIOLENTLY. Surface imperfections act as nucleation sites, but glass and ceramic are both very smooth. In the chemistry lab, when we heat liquids in glass, we add a boiling chip to ensure the can boil properly and doesn't get superheated.

So, short answer, try adding the sugar before you put it in the microwave! Or microwave for less time, you are over heating your water

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Charming_Miss t1_j2ab2s6 wrote

Still doesn't explain why your coffee explodes.

Normal coffee has nothing inside that could create that.

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