iHeartPodcasts

BrainStuff

Science EN ↓ 2675 episodes

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

Author

iHeartPodcasts

Category

Science

Podcast website

www.iheart.com

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

How Air Force One Works 28.09.2015

Air Force One is gigantic, but how does it work? This is one of our editors' favorite episodes, and it's no surprise why: Listen in for a brief, detailed look at the interior of Air Force One. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What causes the smell after rain? 11.09.2015

The smell of rain is often linked with spring, and it's been alluded to in poems, songs and stories for centuries. But what exactly causes this distinctive smell? Tune in and find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do Pop Rocks candy work? 09.09.2015

Hard candy (like a lollypop or a Jolly Rancher) is made from sugar, corn syrup, water and flavoring. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn how conventional candy is combined with carbon dioxide to produce Pop Rocks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can I see the stuff astronauts left on the moon? 07.09.2015

Using a telescope to view the moon is fascinating -- but could we see the leftovers of NASA's lunar expeditions? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about lunar landings and telescopes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Golf Ball Dimples Work 04.09.2015

If you've ever looked at a golf ball, you've probably noticed it has dimples. But why is that? Learn the story behind dimpled golf balls in this Brainstuff podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the Dow Jones Industrial Average Works 02.09.2015

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks a variety of stocks to assist investors. Learn how the Dow Jones keeps tabs on the stock market. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does the snow dragon eat and digest snow? 28.08.2015

For cities plagued by yearly snowstorms, a fleet of snow plows and salt often aren't enough to get rid of excess drifts. Luckily, there's another option: Snow dragons. These machines can melt snow on the spot -- but how do they work? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can nasal sprays be addictive? 26.08.2015

Some people have become so dependent on their nasal sprays and products that they might worry they're addicted. Marshall Brain explains why you can't really be addicted to nasal products in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Schadenfreude? 24.08.2015

Schadenfreude is a German word that means taking pleasure in someone else's pain. But it's not the same as sadism, as Marshall Brain explains in this episode. Tune in to learn more about this particularly German sensation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many balloons would it take to life someone off the ground? 21.08.2015

Balloons are often filled with helium, which has a lifting force of one gram per meter. It's possible to assemble enough balloons to lift yourself from the ground -- but how many balloons does it take? Tune into this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the difference between LPG or natural gas? 19.08.2015

Since liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas have very different properties, it's always important to specify which substance you will use when buying an appliance. Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can you figure out how far away lightning struck? 17.08.2015

Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn how to gauge the distance of a lightning strike with a simple equation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do bake and broil settings differ? 14.08.2015

Kitchen ovens typically have two settings: bake and broil. What's the difference between the two? Explore the science behind baking and broiling in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do astronauts function in their spacesuits? 12.08.2015

Astronauts wear special suits while they're working in space, and these spacewalks can last for hours. In this episode, Marshall Brain explains how astronauts take care of their basic needs while wearing spacesuits. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do a zebra's stripes act as camouflage? 10.08.2015

A zebra's stripes offer protection from predators in the form of camouflage -- and a way to identify individual members within the larger group. Learn more about zebra stripes in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To maximize happiness, what should you spend money on? 07.08.2015

They say that money can't buy happiness, but it can definitely contribute to your well-being. So what exactly should you spend your money on to maximize your happiness? Stuff? Experiences? Marshall Brain investigates in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a vactrain? 05.08.2015

Vactrains may be the next big thing in the evolution of high-speed transportation. In this episode, Marshall explains how vactrain systems will work, how close they are to becoming reality and the potential they have to impact global transportation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does asphalt work, and where does it come from? 03.08.2015

Asphalt is an extremely common, oil-derived material that's used to pave a majority of roads in the United States. Tune in to learn more about asphalt. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does red eye in photographs work? 31.07.2015

The flash of a camera is bright enough to cause a reflection off the human retina -- the red we see in these photos comes from the blood vessels in the eye. Learn more about red eyes and cameras in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Do Submarines Work? 29.07.2015

Submarines use oxygen generators to create oxygen from water. Learn more about oxygen in submarines in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Starting A Car in Cold Weather Works 27.07.2015

Cars are hard to start during cold weather for three reasons: gasoline evaporates less in cold temperatures, oil gets thicker in the cold, and the chemical reactions in cold batteries are slower than normal. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How hair length works 24.07.2015

As hair cells form in follicles, they push other cells out of the follicle. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about your hair's growth and rest phases. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are old black and white movies colorized? 22.07.2015

Adding color to black and white movies is incredibly tedious. To speed up the process, the coloring is done on a computer, using a digital version of the film. Learn more about colorization in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why doesn't paper money disintegrate in the washing machine? 20.07.2015

Normal paper is made of cellulose from trees, but paper money is made from cotton and linen fibers. Learn how this makes paper money more water-resistant in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would happen on a carousel moving at the speed of light? 17.07.2015

If you could spin a carousel fast enough, would time stand still for the people on the carousel? Theoretically, it's a reasonable assumption. Join Marshall Brain as he breaks down the speed of light and time in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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