Chemistry For Your Life
By Melissa and Jam
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Category: Chemistry
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Subscribers: 146
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 289
Description
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
How to make dirt: Composting Chemistry
|
Apr 25, 2024 |
|
How do sunglasses protect our eyes?
|
Apr 18, 2024 |
|
What are the Northern Lights?
|
Apr 11, 2024 |
|
Ask a Chemist: Can you dissolve a liquid into a solid? (and other questions)
|
Apr 04, 2024 |
|
Did the FDA eliminate Forever Chemicals? (PFAS Part 5!)
|
Mar 28, 2024 |
|
Why do things fade in the sun?
|
Mar 21, 2024 |
|
What's the REAL reason we can't look at a solar eclipse?
|
Mar 14, 2024 |
|
Ask a Chemist: How does purple shampoo work, or does it? (and other questions)
|
Mar 07, 2024 |
|
What is Vitamin D? And what does it have to do with the sun?!
|
Feb 29, 2024 |
|
Why do plants die in freezing weather?
|
Feb 22, 2024 |
|
What's up with Fahrenheit, Celsius, and... Kelvin?
|
Feb 15, 2024 |
|
Ask a Chemist: Why do metals look metallic? (and other questions!)
|
Feb 08, 2024 |
|
How do infrared thermometers work?
|
Feb 01, 2024 |
|
How do we see our breath in the air?
|
Jan 25, 2024 |
|
Thermometers: what is the chemistry behind them?
|
Jan 18, 2024 |
|
Bonus: How do "forever chemicals" sneak into our clothes? (and other questions)
|
Jan 11, 2024 |
|
What is yogurt?
|
Jan 04, 2024 |
|
What is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
|
Dec 28, 2023 |
|
What even is cinnamon?
|
Dec 21, 2023 |
|
Bonus: What's the chemistry of kombucha? (and other questions)
|
Dec 14, 2023 |
|
What even is MSG? Is it bad for you?
|
Dec 07, 2023 |
|
Why do onions make you cry?
|
Nov 30, 2023 |
|
Why does(n't) turkey make you sleepy?
|
Nov 23, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Acronyms and Mom Memories (chemmunity style)
|
Nov 16, 2023 |
|
Why do we stir things to dissolve them?
|
Nov 09, 2023 |
|
Why does water form droplets?
|
Nov 02, 2023 |
|
What is freeze drying?
|
Oct 26, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Can geckos stick to teflon? (And other questions about PFAS)
|
Oct 19, 2023 |
|
Are learning styles real?
|
Oct 12, 2023 |
|
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
|
Oct 05, 2023 |
|
Can forever chemicals be destroyed? (PFAS part 4)
|
Sep 28, 2023 |
|
Bonus: How does numbing cream work? (and other questions)
|
Sep 21, 2023 |
|
What can we do now about "forever chemicals?" (PFAS part 3)
|
Sep 14, 2023 |
|
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
|
Sep 07, 2023 |
|
The history of “forever chemicals,” how did we get here? (PFAS part 2)
|
Aug 31, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Why does coffee spoil faster than tea? (and other questions)
|
Aug 24, 2023 |
|
What are "forever" chemicals? (aka PFAs) And are they bad? (PFAS part 1)
|
Aug 17, 2023 |
|
Is it safe to use teflon pans?
|
Aug 10, 2023 |
|
What is silicone?
|
Aug 03, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Are my shoes chemistry? (and other questions)
|
Jul 27, 2023 |
|
What is dietary fiber?
|
Jul 20, 2023 |
|
What is jam? (and jelly and preserves etc.)
|
Jul 13, 2023 |
|
What is rubber?
|
Jul 06, 2023 |
|
Bonus: 1,000,000 Downloads! - YouTube Live Replay
|
Jun 29, 2023 |
|
Why DO mosquitos bite some people more than others? (new research!)
|
Jun 22, 2023 |
|
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
|
Jun 15, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Why is butter yellow? (and other questions)
|
Jun 08, 2023 |
|
What is the greenhouse effect?
|
Jun 01, 2023 |
|
Why does carbonated water have a taste?
|
May 25, 2023 |
|
What is popcorn?
|
May 18, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Can coffee get HOTTER in an insulated mug? (and other questions)
|
May 11, 2023 |
|
What is whipped cream?
|
May 04, 2023 |
|
What are trans fats and are they evil?
|
Apr 27, 2023 |
|
What is butter?
|
Apr 20, 2023 |
|
Bonus: How does lightning striking sand create glass? (and other questions)
|
Apr 13, 2023 |
|
How do gemstones get their color?
|
Apr 06, 2023 |
|
What is silver tarnish?
|
Mar 30, 2023 |
|
How do smoke alarms detect smoke? (part 2)
|
Mar 23, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Why do cucumbers upset people's stomachs? (and other questions)
|
Mar 16, 2023 |
|
How do smoke alarms detect smoke? (part 1)
|
Mar 09, 2023 |
|
Baking soda and baking powder: What's the difference?
|
Mar 02, 2023 |
|
How does baking soda eliminate odors?
|
Feb 23, 2023 |
|
Bonus: Are candles toxic? (and other questions)
|
Feb 16, 2023 |
|
Is freezing point *actually* real?
|
Feb 09, 2023 |
|
How do thermoses keep coffee hot?
|
Feb 02, 2023 |
|
Is "dry cleaning" actually dry?
|
Jan 26, 2023 |
|
Bonus: How do semi-permanent tattoos work?
|
Jan 19, 2023 |
|
What do pine trees and jet fuel have in common?
|
Jan 12, 2023 |
|
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
|
Jan 05, 2023 |
|
What happens to coffee when it cools down?
|
Dec 29, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Why does tupperware stain from pasta? (and other questions)
|
Dec 22, 2022 |
|
What do peppermints and cigarettes have in common?
|
Dec 15, 2022 |
|
Why do foods turn brown when we cook them?
|
Dec 08, 2022 |
|
What is gluten?
|
Dec 01, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Is honey mustard a polymer? (and other questions)
|
Nov 24, 2022 |
|
How can mosquitos smell you? (new research!)
|
Nov 17, 2022 |
|
Why do mosquitos bite people?
|
Nov 10, 2022 |
|
How do trick candles reignite?
|
Nov 03, 2022 |
|
Bonus: How did Bella Hadid's spray-on dress work? (and other questions)
|
Oct 27, 2022 |
|
Do nasal decongestants even work?
|
Oct 20, 2022 |
|
What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
|
Oct 13, 2022 |
|
The most toxic substance to humans? (It’s basically botox)
|
Oct 06, 2022 |
|
Bonus: How is pressure measured? (and other questions)
|
Sep 29, 2022 |
|
What do catalytic converters do?
|
Sep 22, 2022 |
|
What's up with alcohol(s)?
|
Sep 15, 2022 |
|
What is gasoline?
|
Sep 08, 2022 |
|
Bonus: How does gel nail polish dry under UV light? (and other questions)
|
Sep 01, 2022 |
|
How are tattoos removed?
|
Aug 25, 2022 |
|
How do geckos stick to walls?
|
Aug 18, 2022 |
|
Why are tattoos permanent?
|
Aug 11, 2022 |
|
Bonus: How much does a polar bear weigh? (and other questions)
|
Aug 04, 2022 |
|
Why does ice float on water?
|
Jul 28, 2022 |
|
What is sea level rise? (with Dr. Renee Collini)
|
Jul 21, 2022 |
|
What is the chemistry of volcanoes?
|
Jul 14, 2022 |
|
Why are sand and water different temperatures at the beach?
|
Jul 07, 2022 |
|
What is wind?
|
Jun 30, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Where does sand come from? (and other questions)
|
Jun 23, 2022 |
|
What is lightning?
|
Jun 16, 2022 |
|
What do rainbows and mirages have in common?
|
Jun 09, 2022 |
|
What are clouds? And why do they look white?
|
Jun 02, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Why is caffeine in shampoo? (and other questions)
|
May 26, 2022 |
|
Why do people hate organic chemistry?
|
May 19, 2022 |
|
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
|
May 12, 2022 |
|
How do ADHD and Adderall™ change the chemistry in our brains?
|
May 05, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Animals have tears? (and other questions)
|
Apr 28, 2022 |
|
Is crying chemistry? (the fascinating science of tears)
|
Apr 21, 2022 |
|
Why does rain smell?
|
Apr 14, 2022 |
|
Why do lobsters turn red? (when we cook them)
|
Apr 07, 2022 |
|
Bonus: What do sunscreen and paint have in common? (and other questions)
|
Mar 31, 2022 |
|
Why do sodas explode? (when we shake them)
|
Mar 24, 2022 |
|
Why is the sky blue?
|
Mar 17, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Chemistry and Greek myths? (and other questions)
|
Mar 10, 2022 |
|
Why do we use hydrogen peroxide? (and should we?)
|
Mar 04, 2022 |
|
How does bleach remove color?
|
Feb 24, 2022 |
|
Why are blue jeans actually dyed yellow?
|
Feb 17, 2022 |
|
Bonus: Is higher pH water better? (and other questions)
|
Feb 10, 2022 |
|
Why do Pop Rocks pop?
|
Feb 03, 2022 |
|
What are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
|
Jan 27, 2022 |
|
How does Benzoyl Peroxide fight acne?
|
Jan 20, 2022 |
|
Bonus: How do gasses dissolve in liquid? (and other questions)
|
Jan 13, 2022 |
|
How is coffee decaffeinated?
|
Jan 06, 2022 |
|
How does caffeine make you not sleepy?
|
Dec 30, 2021 |
|
Why do tires go flat in the winter?
|
Dec 23, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Blood in pool water? (and other questions)
|
Dec 16, 2021 |
|
Why do we roast coffee?
|
Dec 09, 2021 |
|
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
|
Dec 02, 2021 |
|
How is brewing coffee chemistry?
|
Nov 25, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 07 - Who is and isn't a chemist?
|
Nov 18, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 06 - What is imposter syndrome? (with Vianet Garza)
|
Nov 11, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 05 - Is BPA really that bad for you?
|
Nov 04, 2021 |
|
Green Fire?!
|
Oct 31, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 04 - Icebreakers
|
Oct 28, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 03 - How chemistry revolutionized baking (For Melissa)
|
Oct 21, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 02 - The biochemistry of sugar?
|
Oct 14, 2021 |
|
Fall Mini 01 - Vanilla and beaver butts?
|
Oct 07, 2021 |
|
What is vanilla? (and imitation vanilla?)
|
Sep 30, 2021 |
|
How do Tums make us feel better? (And why do they make us burp?)
|
Sep 23, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Does elevation affect airbags? (and other questions)
|
Sep 20, 2021 |
|
Is there BPA in my receipt? And is that bad?
|
Sep 16, 2021 |
|
What does BPA free really mean?
|
Sep 09, 2021 |
|
How do breathalyzers detect alcohol?
|
Sep 02, 2021 |
|
What is the ozone layer?
|
Aug 26, 2021 |
|
Bonus: How does weed killer not kill grass? (and other questions)
|
Aug 23, 2021 |
|
How much urine is in an olympic size swimming pool?
|
Aug 19, 2021 |
|
Is high fructose corn syrup bad for you?
|
Aug 12, 2021 |
|
What is in magic erasers? (and should you clean your teeth with them?)
|
Aug 05, 2021 |
|
How do candles burn? (and how do you light them with smoke?)
|
Jul 29, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Candle Magic
|
Jul 26, 2021 |
|
How do batteries power our electronics?
|
Jul 22, 2021 |
|
Bonus: How do candy colors not mix? (and other questions)
|
Jul 20, 2021 |
|
What is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
|
Jul 15, 2021 |
|
What is hyaluronic acid and is it magical?
|
Jul 08, 2021 |
|
What is benzene and why is it in my sunscreen?
|
Jul 01, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at home: Elephant's Toothpaste
|
Jun 28, 2021 |
|
How are airbags made of chemicals?
|
Jun 24, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Why do bug bites itch? (and other questions)
|
Jun 21, 2021 |
|
CHEMISTRY QUIZ
|
Jun 17, 2021 |
|
Do anti-aging products work?
|
Jun 10, 2021 |
|
What’s the future of antihistamines?
|
Jun 03, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Lifesavers in the Dark
|
May 31, 2021 |
|
Why are seasonal allergies the worst?
|
May 27, 2021 |
|
Bonus: What color is grass at night? (and other questions)
|
May 24, 2021 |
|
Why and how do Jellyfish sting?
|
May 20, 2021 |
|
How do Venus flytraps trap flies?
|
May 13, 2021 |
|
What is the smell of fresh cut grass?
|
May 06, 2021 |
|
Why does american chocolate taste different?
|
Apr 29, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Chocolate and Gum
|
Apr 26, 2021 |
|
Why does chocolate get that white film on it?
|
Apr 22, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Do dead leaves smell like tea? (and other questions)
|
Apr 19, 2021 |
|
What is chocolate and why is it delicious?
|
Apr 15, 2021 |
|
Why does cilantro taste horrible? (to some people)
|
Apr 08, 2021 |
|
What is ebonized wood?
|
Apr 01, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Crayons
|
Mar 29, 2021 |
|
How do color changing markers change color?
|
Mar 25, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Does gunpowder explode? (and other questions)
|
Mar 22, 2021 |
|
What is jam? (and jelly and preserves etc.)
|
Mar 18, 2021 |
|
What and why is maple syrup?
|
Mar 11, 2021 |
|
Why do plants die in freezing weather?
|
Mar 04, 2021 |
|
What are muscles and their cramps?
|
Feb 25, 2021 |
|
Extra Special Bonus: Time Warp!
|
Feb 23, 2021 |
|
How do bath bombs fizz?
|
Feb 19, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Vinegar and Baking Soda (with Stephanie Ryan Ph.D.)
|
Feb 15, 2021 |
|
How do sunglasses protect us?
|
Feb 11, 2021 |
|
Why do things fade in the sun?
|
Feb 04, 2021 |
|
What is a dryer sheet?
|
Jan 28, 2021 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Pennies
|
Jan 25, 2021 |
|
Is glass a liquid?
|
Jan 21, 2021 |
|
Bonus: Why does my bread taste like a banana? (and other questions)
|
Jan 19, 2021 |
|
Why do cornstarch and water do that thing?
|
Jan 14, 2021 |
|
What is iodized salt? And why?
|
Jan 07, 2021 |
|
How do fireworks use chemistry to look awesome?
|
Dec 31, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Diapers
|
Dec 28, 2020 |
|
What are LEDs and how do they light up?
|
Dec 24, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Enzymes eat plastic? (and other questions)
|
Dec 21, 2020 |
|
How do we see our breath in the air?
|
Dec 17, 2020 |
|
What is silver tarnish?
|
Dec 10, 2020 |
|
How do odor absorbers work?
|
Dec 03, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Leaf Pigments
|
Nov 30, 2020 |
|
What happens to eggs when we cook them? (with Jason Cress)
|
Nov 26, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Can equilibrium occur in any state of matter? (and other questions)
|
Nov 23, 2020 |
|
How do diapers absorb liquid?
|
Nov 19, 2020 |
|
How is nail polish chemistry?
|
Nov 12, 2020 |
|
Is science always right?
|
Nov 05, 2020 |
|
How do glowsticks glow?
|
Oct 29, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Cabbage Juice
|
Oct 26, 2020 |
|
What IS lavender oil?
|
Oct 22, 2020 |
|
Bonus: How do you remove superglue from your fingers? (and other questions)
|
Oct 19, 2020 |
|
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
|
Oct 15, 2020 |
|
What's the future of recycling?
|
Oct 08, 2020 |
|
Is plastic really recyclable?
|
Oct 01, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Slime
|
Sep 28, 2020 |
|
What is plastic?
|
Sep 24, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Why doesn’t superglue harden in the tube? (and other questions)
|
Sep 21, 2020 |
|
How does super glue glue things?
|
Sep 17, 2020 |
|
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
|
Sep 10, 2020 |
|
How does caffeine make you not sleepy?
|
Sep 03, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Density
|
Aug 31, 2020 |
|
What makes fruit ripen?
|
Aug 27, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Do mosquitos care about blood-type? (and other questions)
|
Aug 24, 2020 |
|
What's up with alcohol(s)?
|
Aug 20, 2020 |
|
What IS fire? (and what happened in Beirut?)
|
Aug 13, 2020 |
|
What makes honey crystallize?
|
Aug 06, 2020 |
|
What is the future of mosquito repellents?
|
Jul 30, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at Home: Milk and Soap
|
Jul 27, 2020 |
|
What even is DEET?
|
Jul 23, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Is rain just like sweat for the earth? (and other questions)
|
Jul 20, 2020 |
|
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
|
Jul 16, 2020 |
|
Why do mosquitos bite people?
|
Jul 09, 2020 |
|
How does sweat cool us down?
|
Jul 02, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at home: Chromatography
|
Jun 29, 2020 |
|
What is a calorie?
|
Jun 25, 2020 |
|
What makes jalapeños hot, and do they have other super powers?
|
Jun 18, 2020 |
|
Bonus: What is Mel's cast iron routine? (and other questions)
|
Jun 15, 2020 |
|
What is rust and is it the worst?
|
Jun 11, 2020 |
|
Black lives matter
|
Jun 04, 2020 |
|
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
|
May 28, 2020 |
|
Chemistry at home: Homemade Lava Lamp
|
May 25, 2020 |
|
Why do diet coke and mentos do that thing?
|
May 21, 2020 |
|
Bonus: My girlfriend's sweat doesn't stink (and other questions)?
|
May 18, 2020 |
|
How do color-changing mugs change color?
|
May 14, 2020 |
|
How do deodorant and antiperspirant work?
|
May 07, 2020 |
|
Is it safe to use teflon pans?
|
Apr 30, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Do purple carrots have beta carotene (and other questions)?
|
Apr 27, 2020 |
|
What makes nonstick pans not sticky?
|
Apr 23, 2020 |
|
How does helium change your voice?
|
Apr 16, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Podcast For Your Life - Books for your life
|
Apr 15, 2020 |
|
Is there a helium shortage?
|
Apr 09, 2020 |
|
Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth?
|
Apr 02, 2020 |
|
How does soap kill COVID-19?
|
Mar 26, 2020 |
|
Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?
|
Mar 19, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Methane doesn't have a smell (and other questions)?
|
Mar 16, 2020 |
|
Why is the sky blue?
|
Mar 12, 2020 |
|
How do thermoses keep coffee hot?
|
Mar 05, 2020 |
|
How do hand warmers get hot?
|
Feb 27, 2020 |
|
How does bleach remove color?
|
Feb 20, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Does cold exist (and other questions)?
|
Feb 17, 2020 |
|
Why do bad smells smell bad?
|
Feb 13, 2020 |
|
Why does rain smell?
|
Feb 06, 2020 |
|
What’s really happening when our hair gets damaged?
|
Jan 30, 2020 |
|
What gives curly hair its curl?
|
Jan 23, 2020 |
|
Bonus: Growing crystals, bobby pins, and how should we address the Hulk?
|
Jan 20, 2020 |
|
What is the taste of carbonated water?
|
Jan 16, 2020 |
|
The sea is rising? Should I be scared? (with Renee Collini)
|
Jan 09, 2020 |
|
What do rainbows and mirages have in common?
|
Jan 02, 2020 |
|
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
|
Dec 26, 2019 |
|
What are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
|
Dec 19, 2019 |
|
Bonus: Do solar farms kill birds (and other questions)?
|
Dec 16, 2019 |
|
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
|
Dec 12, 2019 |
|
Why does water form droplets?
|
Dec 05, 2019 |
|
What happens to water in space (and other questions)?
|
Nov 28, 2019 |
|
What’s up with foil?
|
Nov 21, 2019 |
|
Why do foods brown when we cook them?
|
Nov 14, 2019 |
|
Why do onions make you cry?
|
Nov 07, 2019 |
|
Green fire?!
|
Oct 31, 2019 |
|
What makes artificial sweeteners artificial?
|
Oct 24, 2019 |
|
What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
|
Oct 17, 2019 |
|
How do geckos stick to walls?
|
Oct 10, 2019 |
|
What's the scientific word for sticky?
|
Oct 03, 2019 |
|
You got more questions?
|
Sep 26, 2019 |
|
Baking soda and baking powder: what’s the difference?
|
Sep 19, 2019 |
|
Why didn't Jam's pot of water ever boil?
|
Sep 12, 2019 |
|
What the heck is going on inside microwaves?
|
Sep 05, 2019 |
|
Why do we put lids on pots to boil water?
|
Aug 29, 2019 |
|
You got questions?
|
Aug 22, 2019 |
|
What are trans fats and are they evil?
|
Aug 15, 2019 |
|
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
|
Aug 08, 2019 |
|
Why are sand and water different temperatures at the beach?
|
Aug 01, 2019 |
|
How does soap get things clean?
|
Aug 01, 2019 |
|
What is Chemistry For Your Life?
|
Jul 09, 2019 |