What happens to your tongue when you lick an aluminum ice cream scrapper just after it has been used? Does it stick to the scraper? Why?
it is colder than liquid water, so the water on the tounge freezes. Don't like the goalposts on the football field in freezing weather either.
Do you have more answer there?
When you lick an aluminum ice cream scraper just after it has been used, it is possible for your tongue to momentarily stick to the scraper. This happens due to a phenomenon called "cold welding" or "cryogenic adhesion."
To understand why this occurs, we need to consider the properties of aluminum and the moisture on your tongue. Aluminum is a metal that has a high thermal conductivity, meaning it transfers heat quickly. When the ice cream scraper comes into contact with your tongue, the heat from your tongue is rapidly transferred to the aluminum, causing it to become very cold.
At the same time, our tongues contain a small amount of moisture, which helps facilitate taste and speech. When your moist tongue comes in contact with the cold aluminum surface, the moisture on your tongue freezes slightly, forming a thin layer of ice between your tongue and the scraper. This ice layer acts as a bonding agent between the two surfaces.
Additionally, the force of your tongue pressing against the scraper creates a small area of localized pressure. This pressure aids in increasing the adhesion between the frozen moisture and the aluminum surface, making it feel like your tongue is sticking to the scraper.
It is important to note that this sticking sensation is temporary and the tongue will quickly detach from the aluminum surface once the heat from your body warms it up again. However, it is not recommended to intentionally lick extremely cold objects as it can cause discomfort or even injury.