杯中乾坤——酒杯中的物理化学

doi:10.12461/PKU.DXHX202602010

Abstract

Abstract: A wine glass harbors exquisite principles of physical chemistry, which collectively shape its sensory world. Winemaking is essentially the art of reaction kinetics, where the birth and evolution of flavors unfold under the catalysis of time. The turbidity of the wine arises from the scattering of light by colloidal particles, influencing both its hazy appearance and perceived texture. Those slowly trailing “tears” or “legs” on the glass are strokes meticulously drawn by surface tension along the inner wall. Ultimately, the delicate balance of sweetness and astringency, along with the layered richness that lingers on the palate, is quietly orchestrated by the chemical potentials among various flavor compounds. Together, these principles craft the complete visual, olfactory, and gustatory experience of a glass of wine.

Key words: Physical chemistry, Reaction kinetics, Turbidity, Surface tension, Chemical potential

Yangyang Cheng, Haiying Jiang. The universe in a wine glass: the physical chemistry behind the glass[J].University Chemistry, 2026, 41(8): 313-320.

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The universe in a wine glass: the physical chemistry behind the glass

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