What happens if you eat a silica gel packet? - Vivian Jiang
1,563,971 Views
673 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
Of the many, many things we’re not supposed to snack on, perhaps the most common forbidden food is silica gel. This tiny packet pops up in packaging for everything — from TVs and guitar cases to sunscreen and snack foods. So why is silica gel everywhere, and what would actually happen if you ate it? Vivian Jiang digs into the science of this pervasive product.
22
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
If you’re curious to get a glimpse of its porous structure, check out this paper which features images of silica gel under a microscope. To see how silica sand is mined, watch this video. While desiccants like silica gel help keep our snacks fresh, nitrogen is often inflated into into chip bags to keep them crispy. And keeping your food fresh doesn’t have to be boring; some silica gels are sold in cute packaging like this one. Interested in how silica has made an impact on space missions? Read here to see how silica aerogel plays beyond Earth.
About TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator
- Vivian Jiang
- Director
- Denys Spolitak
- Narrator
- Addison Anderson
- Composer
- Stephen LaRosa, Wonder Boy Audio
- Sound Designer
- Stephen LaRosa, Wonder Boy Audio
