Eli5 when temperature is just how much molecules move, why can our skin be permanently damaged if they move to much, aka, you get a burn.

Question

Eli5 when temperature is just how much molecules move, why can our skin be permanently damaged if they move to much, aka, you get a burn.

In: 131

Answer 1

Molecules are much smaller than the cells, capillaries, and so on in your skin.

Imagine if you microwaved a plastic bottle full of water. Eventually….kaboom. The water isn’t “damaged” from moving around, but the bottle is blown apart and destroyed.

Same concept with your cells and blood vessels rupturing from heat.