Concept 36: Why does our tongue stick to a frozen pole?

 5 Reasons why tongue stick to a frozen pole:

1. Moisture on the tongue: Our tongue is coated in saliva, which contains water. When we place our tongue on a frozen pole, the moisture on our tongue can freeze and bond with the frozen metal.

2. Low temperature: The metal pole is much colder than the temperature inside our mouth, which is around 98.6°F (37°C). When the tongue comes into contact with the cold metal, the heat from the tongue is rapidly transferred to the metal, causing the moisture on the tongue to freeze and stick to the metal.

3. Adhesion: When two surfaces come into contact, they can stick together through a process called adhesion. In the case of a frozen pole and a wet tongue, the moisture on the tongue can freeze and create a bond with the metal, causing the tongue to stick.

4. Surface tension: The moisture on the tongue can create a thin layer of ice that adheres to the metal surface. Surface tension, which is the force that causes the surface of a liquid to contract, can further enhance this bond between the tongue and the metal.

5. Lack of lubrication: Our mouth contains saliva, which acts as a natural lubricant. When we stick our tongue to a frozen pole, the saliva can freeze and become less effective as a lubricant, making it more difficult to detach the tongue from the metal surface.