Chemistry For Your Life

#081 Rebroadcast The sun. It's nice, it's warm, it helps things grow, it helps us see, it helps us exist in the first place. But it's also a massive burning molten ball of radiation and ultraviolet rays. So how does our mysterious yellow friend fade the poor items we leave outside? Let's find out. Don't hurt us, yellow friend.     References from this episode https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries...

#182 There's an eclipse coming to the US in April! Which means we'll all be getting that reminder to NOT LOOK AT THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT PROPER EYE PROTECTION. But why is that? At the molecular level, what happens to our eyes if we look at the eclipse? And how does eye protection prevent damage to our eyes? Let's find out! References from this Episode https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i33/Chemistry-expl...

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 53 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about purple shampoo, salt on icy roads, msg, and more! Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefie...

#181 Have you heard about Vitamin D? Has someone ever told you that you need it and it's really important? Have you ever wondered why? And have you ever wondered what the heck THE SUN has to do with Vitamin D? Well rise and shine it's time to finally get to the bottom of this. References from this Episode https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/shining-a-light-on-vitamin-d/3004782.article https://...

#085 Rebroadcast Well here in Texas, we just suffered through an intense freeze. And many a plant became a casualty of the cold, but why? What's going on at the molecular level that causes freezing temperatures to be bad for many plants? And is talking about this even chemistry? Let's find out. References from this episode https://climate.ncsu.edu/edu/FrostFreeze https://wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2014/...

#180 Depending on where you live, you may use Fahrenheit or Celsius to measure temperature, but how did these measurements come about, why are they different, and seriously, who is Kelvin? References from this Episode https://highschoolenergy.acs.org/what-is-energy/thermometers.html We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out...

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 52 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about metals, kombucha, learning styles, condiments, and more! Reference from this episode:   https://radiolab.org/podcast/g-miseducation-larry-p . Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel R...

#179 Over the past few years infrared thermometers have started being EVERYWHERE. So as we've cracked open the conversation on thermometers we've got to find out, how do infrared thermometers work? How are they different from other kinds? References from this Episode https://highschoolenergy.acs.org/what-is-energy/thermometers.html We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustratin...

#074 This time of year, it's a common occurrence, something so common that we might not even wonder about it anymore. But really, why do we see our breath in the air when it's cold? We see steam from cooking things and boiling water, but our breath isn't that hot, so why do we see it? What does temperature have to do with it? Let's find out. References from this episode   https://www.childrensmuse...

#178 Thermometers tell us what temperature something is. But how do the thermometers know what the temperature is? Who tells the thermometers? Or rather, how do thermometers accurately gauge what the temperature is, consistently, in high heat and super cold? Let's find out. References from this Episode https://highschoolenergy.acs.org/what-is-energy/thermometers.html We want to give a special than...

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 51 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about PFAS/forever chemicals, the periodic table, chemistry and engineering, and more!   Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly S...

#177 Yogurt, sometimes known as thick milk. But what is it really? What happens at the molecular level, how does it become yogurt? And while we're at it, what is sour cream? Let's talk about these dairy substances. References from this Episode https://youtu.be/uJEkb4Hq5jY https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234682/ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/they_did_what_to_your_milk https://extension.oregon...

#104 Rebroadcast Seriously what the heck is cheese? It's a question we've all wondered, but most of us only ever know that it's from milk—but what else? How do we turn milk into cheese? What's going on at the chemical level? And why do cheeses taste different from each other? Let's find out. References from this episode http://pubsapp.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/7806sci2.html? https://youtu.be/CkS...

#176 We're in the portion of the year where cinnamon finds its way into many things we eat and drink: our pies, our tea, our coffee, our wassail, our candles, etc. But what is cinnamon really? What's going on with it at the molecular level? What makes it unique? Let's find out References from this Episode https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/cinnamaldehyde/4012943.article https://www.ncbi.nlm.n...

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 50 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about mosquitos, kombucha, coated cookware, and more!   Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefie...

#175 MSG! The ingredient many of us reference but few of us know anything about. What is it? Why does it make things taste so good? What's in it? Is it bad for us? If not, why does everyone think it is? References from this Episode https://youtu.be/VJw8r_YWJ9k https://www.compoundchem.com/2014/08/25/msg/ https://www.nature.com/articles/1602526 https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/glutamate/3005...

#016 Rebroadcast This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of onion tears, the emotional reaction we all have, against our will, when cutting onions. Grab some tissues, this one's gonna burn. References from this episode https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf60174a009 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acschembio.7b00336 https://www.nature.com/articles/419685a https://www.nytimes.com/2017...

#174 For many folks in the US, today is a day where we eat Turkey! And many times the factoid/rumor makes the rounds that eating turkey makes you sleepy... but does it? Let's get into it, and fair warning, it's not as simple as you think. References from this Episode Biochemistry, 4th edition, by Garrett & Grisham, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-does-turkey-make-you-sle...

Bonus Episode: Chemmunity Style For this month's bonus episode we don't have questions, so we're recording an episode in the style of our secret supporter-only podcast. Check it out and enjoy an extra episode.   Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silv...

#173 What is freeze-drying? How can something be both frozen and dried? How does it differ from just freezing, or just drying? And is it just for astronauts? Let's get into it! References from this Episode https://www.acs.org/middleschoolchemistry/lessonplans/chapter5/lesson6.html#:~:text=The%20added%20energy%20in%20the%2Csucrose%20molecules%20to%20vibrate%20faster. We want to give a special thank...

#020 Rebroadcast This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of water and intermolecular forces. Why does it form into droplets? Why can you fill a glass of water just above the rim and it not spill over? How are some things water proof or water resistant? References from this episode General Chemistry: Principles, Patterns, and Applications - Saylor foundation Chemistry, Edition 2 - Flowers,...

#172 What is freeze-drying? How can something be both frozen and dried? How does it differ from just freezing, or just drying? And is it just for astronauts? Let's get into it! References from this Episode https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.5b05841 https://cen.acs.org/articles/86/i39/Instant-Coffee.html https://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/prospect/ontology.asp?id=CMO:0001553&MSID=b501961c...

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 49 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions all about PFAS aka Forever Chemicals! References https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/docs/pfas/pfasgardproduce.pdf https://www.acs.org/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry-editions/2020-ncw/gecko.html#:~:text=The%20non%2Dstick%20coating%20us...

#171 What ways do you like to learn? Have you ever thought that you're more of a visual learner? Or what about an auditory learner? Why do you think that? What if we told you that whatever way you prefer to learn, might not actually make a notable difference in your learning. It's a touchy topic with some spicy science. Let's get into it! References from this Episode https://journals.sagepub.com/d...

#003 Rebroadcast Melissa and Jam discuss margarine and what the heck it is, and how it's different from butter, and if it is actually made in the "country" in a "crock" or not. Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz...