Chemistry For Your Life
Episodes
How does super glue glue things?
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#061 Be honest. Have you ever glued yourself with super glue? Everyone should accidentally make that mistake at least once, so you can literally feel ...
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#060 Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, mayb...
How does caffeine make you not sleepy?
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#059 Ok so, caffeine. Some of us live on the stuff, and others of us want nothing to do with it. There's a lot of things caffeine can do to our bodies...
Chemistry at Home: Density
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 4 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, ...
What makes fruit ripen?
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#058 Fruit. You eat it too early? It tastes bland and tart. You eat it too late? And it's rotten. You eat it when it's ripe? It's perfect, sweet, and ...
Bonus: Do mosquitos care about blood-type? (and other questions)
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 12 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about mosquito repellents, mo...
What's up with alcohol(s)?
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#057 So we all know what we think of when we hear the word "alcohol," but what if that's not really the whole picture? There's actually many...
What IS fire? (and what happened in Beirut?)
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#056 Seriously. What is fire? This week Melissa and Jam hop out of the frying pan. What are those warm orange wisps? We all sort of know what fire is ...
What makes honey crystallize?
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#055 Ever notice that honey crystalizes? Isn't that like super weird? Why does it do that? This week, Melissa and Jam risk getting stuck in this quest...
What is the future of mosquito repellents?
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#054 This week, Melissa and Jam close out the mosquitos series with part 4 (If you missed the previous three, go check them out). What does the future...
Chemistry at Home: Milk and Soap
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 3 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, ...
What even is DEET?
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#053 This week, Melissa and Jam continue to part 3 on the topic of mosquitos (If you missed the previous two, go check them out). What is DEET? What p...
Bonus: Is rain just like sweat for the earth? (and other questions)
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 11 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about carbonation, color-chan...
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#052 This week, Melissa and Jam continue the topic of mosquitos (If you missed last week's, listen to it first). It's time to answer the age-old, ever...
Why do mosquitos bite people?
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#051 This week, Melissa and Jam begin a multi-faceted topic: mosquitos. Now of course mosquitos are insects, so studying them would mostly fall into b...
How does sweat cool us down?
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#050 This week, Melissa and Jam once again look under the armpits of society, this time to explore sweat. Is it cool? Well does it keep us cool? How? ...
Chemistry at home: Chromatography
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 2 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, ...
What is a calorie?
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#049 This week, Melissa and Jam question the whole system of food. Or rather, the way we calculate food: calories. What are they? Where'd the come fro...
What makes jalapeños hot, and do they have other super powers?
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#048 This week, Melissa and Jam dive into spiciness. What is it? Is it a flavor? Is it a feeling? Is it both? Is it more? Why can some people handle m...
Bonus: What is Mel's cast iron routine? (and other questions)
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 10 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about cast iron routines, dye...
What is rust and is it the worst?
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#047 A somewhat natural chemical topic following cast iron: rust. This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of rust. What even is it? Where doe...
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#045 The continuation of the unexpected cookware chemistry saga: cast iron. This week, Melissa and Jam discuss multiple aspects of cast iron chemistry...
Chemistry at home: Homemade Lava Lamp
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 1 What's this, another bonus episode? It's something new we're test driving! A short little extra bonus episode dedic...
Why do diet coke and mentos do that thing?
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#044 You know what we're talking about. That spectacular fizzy geyser. This week, Melissa and Jam explore what makes diet coke and mentos go crazy tog...
Bonus: My girlfriend's sweat doesn't stink (and other questions)?
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 9 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about sunlight bleaching, weir...
How do color-changing mugs change color?
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#043 You know how you have that one mug that changes colors when you put hot coffee in it? Let's talk about that. This week, Melissa and Jam explore t...
How do deodorant and antiperspirant work?
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#042 What's that smell? Is it us? Is it you? We hope it's neither, thanks to deodorants and antiperspirants. This week, Melissa and Jam delve into the...
Is it safe to use teflon pans?
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#041 Ok! So now that you know how teflon works (see last week's episode if you missed it), now it's time to discuss the equally important question: is...
Bonus: Do purple carrots have beta carotene (and other questions)?
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 8 In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about carrots, pigments, quinon...
What makes nonstick pans not sticky?
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#040 Who you calling sticky? This week, Melissa and Jam open up another two-part series about nonstick pans, aka teflon. What keeps food from sticking...
How does helium change your voice?
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#039 Part two on the chemistry of helium! Now to the question you've all been wondering, how does helium change your voice? This week, Melissa and Jam...
Bonus: Podcast For Your Life - Books for your life
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Don't worry, you didn't click on the wrong podcast. This week Melissa was a guest on another "for your life" podcast: Podcast For Your Life,...
Is there a helium shortage?
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#038 Helium is all fun and games right? High voice, super funny, no worries right? Or is there a serious shortage of helium? This week, Melissa and Ja...
Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth?
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#037 It's the lesson we've all had to learn the hard way. The pain our mouths feel when we take a treacherous swig of the post-brush poison. This week...
How does soap kill COVID-19?
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#036 Ok so we've known for awhile how soap works in a general use sense, like how it cleans dishes (see episode 1). But these weird times call for a d...
Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#035 Do you like apples? Ever wonder why they turn brown when you cut them? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this very question. What's going on in ...
Bonus: Methane doesn't have a smell (and other questions)?
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 7 In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about methane, bad smells, blea...
Why is the sky blue?
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#034 This week, Melissa and Jam explore the oldest question in the book. But we're not going to answer it. Just kidding. Why the HECK is the sky blue?...
How do thermoses keep coffee hot?
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#033 That's right, we are sort of talking about coffee this week. Or rather, how to keep it hot. Nowadays we all have some version of a thermos for ou...
How do hand warmers get hot?
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#032 This week, Melissa and Jam investigate reusable hand warmers. How do they get hot? Where does the heat even come from? How do reusable ones even ...
How does bleach remove color?
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#031 How does bleach bleach stuff? Oh and also, what even is color? This week Melissa and Jam investigate these questions. What's the molecular makeup...
Bonus: Does cold exist (and other questions)?
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 6 In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about cold/cool, water temperat...
Why do bad smells smell bad?
13 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#030 Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad smells? Why do...
Why does rain smell?
06 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#029 What's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and neurol...
What’s really happening when our hair gets damaged?
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#028 This week, Melissa and Jam travel even further down the rabbit hole of hair chemistry. How does our hair get damaged? How do we curl, straighten,...
What gives curly hair its curl?
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#027 This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistry at first: hair. Curly hair to be specific. What ...
Bonus: Growing crystals, bobby pins, and how should we address the Hulk?
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 5 In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about how to grow crystals, det...
What is the taste of carbonated water?
16 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#026 This week, Melissa and Jam discuss part of an often requested topic: carbonation. Does it have a taste? Like why does carbonated water taste diff...
The sea is rising? Should I be scared? (with Renee Collini)
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#025 This week, Melissa, Jam, and very special guest Renee Collini (Melissa's sister and climate scientist) delve into the important topic of sea-leve...
What do rainbows and mirages have in common?
02 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
#024 This week, Melissa and Jam explore three very different, but related, light phenomena. We'll discuss situations when light can be bent, slowed do...
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#023 This week, Melissa and Jam explore the wintery chemistry of snowflakes. How do they form? How are they all unique? How do they look so gosh darn ...
What are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#022 This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of antioxidants. What are they? Is it just magical stuff they put in sport drinks and workout su...
Bonus: Do solar farms kill birds (and other questions)?
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 4 Welcome to the new home for our Question and Response episodes! This week we respond to comments and questions ...
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
12 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#021 This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of solar energy. How do we capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity? Is it as su...
Why does water form droplets?
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#020 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 w...
What happens to water in space (and other questions)?
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #03 This week Melissa and Jam do the last Question and Response episode. We'll continue to do Questions and Responses every mon...
What’s up with foil?
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#018 This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of aluminum foil. Why doesn’t it feel hot when we take it out of the oven? How does it cool dow...
Why do foods brown when we cook them?
14 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#017 This week Melissa and Jam explore some of the chemistry behind cooking. What happens when you sear a steak? What's going on when you toast toast...
Why do onions make you cry?
07 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#016 This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of onion tears, the emotional reaction we all have, against our will, when cutting onions. Grab s...
Green fire?!
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#015 This week Melissa and Jam explore a Halloween-themed topic, perfectly-timed for the fact that our episode air date happened to land on Halloween ...
What makes artificial sweeteners artificial?
24 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of artificial/alternative sweeteners. What are artificial sweeteners? How can something be sweet but n...
What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
17 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of not being burned by the big, ominous, flaming ball of radioactive insanity that lights up our skies...
How do geckos stick to walls?
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Melissa and Jam continue in the category of "sticky" things by exploring how geckos stick to walls. How do they do it? Is it magic...
What's the scientific word for sticky?
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Melissa and Jam explore the complex, but highly familiar and relatable concept of stickiness. It started as a lighthearted question f...
You got more questions?
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #02 We've received even more questions! Melissa and Jam take more listener questions regarding topics from across the first 9 ep...
Baking soda and baking powder: what’s the difference?
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Baking powder? Baking soda? I mean they're both white powders with the word "baking" in it. How different could they be? Well, one can cause...
Why didn't Jam's pot of water ever boil?
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Remember that one time (in episode 6 "Why do we put lids on pots to boil water") when Jam had a situation where his big pot of water would n...
What the heck is going on inside microwaves?
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa finally explains to Jam how microwaves work after making him wait for an entire week. What the heck is going on inside microwaves? How does it...
Why do we put lids on pots to boil water?
29 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the curious habit of putting a lid on a pot in order to boil water. Does it help? Does it speed things up? If so, why? Find us...
You got questions?
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Question and Response #01 Melissa and Jam take listener questions regarding the topics from episodes 1 and 2, Soap and Specific Heat, attempting to cl...
What are trans fats and are they evil?
15 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing the conversation from last week's margarine episode, Melissa and Jam talk about some of the possible unexpected results of hydrogenation, i...
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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" i...
Why are sand and water different temperatures at the beach?
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa and Jam discuss the difference of temperatures, aka specific heat. Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at c...
How does soap get things clean?
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today Melissa and Jam talk about the chemistry of soap, and how it does its magical work. Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife...
What is Chemistry For Your Life?
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR...