Mechanics of gelation

Have you ever made a Jell-O or pudding that starts off as liquid and then turns into a solid after putting it in the fridge? That process is called gelation.

When we mix certain ingredients together, like the ones in Jell-O, they form a mixture that is still liquid. This liquid mixture has a network of tiny particles, called polymers. These polymers are like the building blocks that hold everything together.

When we put the mixture into the fridge, something cool happens. As the mixture gets colder, the polymers start to stick together to form a solid network, like a spider web. This is called gelation.

The solid network traps the liquid in between, creating a gel-like substance. Just like how a spider web can trap insects, the solid network of the gel traps all the liquid in the mixture, making it a solid.

So, gelation is basically how a liquid mixture turns into a solid one, by forming a network of tiny particles that trap the liquid in between them. And that's all there is to it!