hotter, the water turns into steam, kind of like what happens when water boils on the stove.

Now, here’s where it gets really cool! The steam inside the kernel starts to build up a lot of pressure because it has nowhere to escape.

This pressure keeps getting bigger and bigger until finally, POP! The kernel explodes, and all that steam rushes out really fast, turning the kernel inside out and puffing it up into that yummy popcorn shape.
So, when you see popcorn popping in the microwave, you’re actually watching tiny explosions happening inside each kernel. It’s like a mini firework show just for your snack! Isn’t science amazing?