system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why does burnt food like milk stick to the bottom of the pot and why is it almost impossible to remove?

Also what are some easy scientific methods of removal besides "scraping"?
gpt
The milk contains proteins and sugar.  The excessive heat applied to the pan caused the proteins to coagulate and bind to the source of the heat.  The first amount of protein has thermal insulating properties that allow the pan to get even hotter, since less of the heat gets transferred to the water content of the milk.  The higher heat of the pan causes the proteins and sugars to brown then burn through partial pyrolysis and caramelisation (Maillard reaction).    You can remove the protein without scraping several ways.  You can remove the liquid and heat the pan even more, generating huge amounts of smoke and stink until the pyrolysis is complete and the proteins turn to ash.  Ash is easy to wash and rince away.  Or you can use solvents and heat to dissolve the proteins and sugars.   Water is a good solvent.  Leaving the pan soaking overnight in water will hydrate most of food particles enough to clean the pan with light scrubbing.  You can also alternate soaking, heating, and light scrubbing for several repeated cycles.  You can also use an acid like vinegar or home strength hydrogen peroxide to soak for a while.  The acid will react and dissolve the protein very well.  That's why hydrogen peroxide is used in a lot of soft contact lens cleaners - to dissolve proteins that have built up.  Acids are a bit less safe to use around kids, pets, and ignorant adults.

Don't heat milk over excessive heat.  Heat slowly and continue to stir constantly, not leaving it unattended for a second.  When you're heating milk, what else is so goddamned important that you have to leave it?  Pretty much nothing.  If someone needs emergency assistance while you're heating milk, turn off the heat source, move the pan off the heat to a safe place to cool, then go administer the aid and call 911.  Better yet, microwave the milk in a microwave safe container for one minute.  At least it has a timer to shut itself off.