Why Does Fall Smell So Good?
We asked people across the country “What does fall mean to you?,” and most of them couldn’t stop talking about fall smells. So what’s the chemistry behind those smells, and why do they make us so happy?
Do Your Dog’s Paws Smell Like Fritos?
Do your dog’s paws smell like Fritos? This week we explore why.
How Can Fertilizer Explode?
Ammonium nitrate has been involved in dozens of disasters and terrorist attacks but, under normal circumstances, it’s totally harmless. What turns it deadly?
We Found The Best Hot Pepper Cure (It’s Not Milk)
How do you stop pepper burn if you can’t drink milk? Sam and George suffer for science.
Color Changing Tea
This beautiful, color-changing tea is all over TikTok and Instagram. So, Sam and George add different things (some not drinkable!) to the tea to play with its spectacular colors.
Why Did the Sky Turn Orange in San Francisco?
Why was the West Coast sky bright orange? We break down the Mars-like haze and how climate change is involved.
How Can A Margarita Do This?
Sam’s friend got a crazy swelling, peeling burn on her hands from making a margarita and then heading to the beach. Why?
Cellulose: From Trees to Explosives
Cellulose is everywhere. In fact, it is the most abundant organic molecule on the Earth! It’s in (but not limited to) our food, clothing, and plastics, and the cellulose compound nitrocellulose is used in explosives but also in things like x-rays, early silent films and nail polish. In this episode, we get into how this tiny molecule holds up so much of our modern world.
The World's Biggest Batteries Aren't What You Think
When you think of batteries, you might think of the thing your watch or car needs to run. But as we move toward producing and storing more renewable energy (like solar and wind) we have to start thinking bigger. In this episode, we break down what a battery is and how they’re actually all around us--from lemons to lakes.
What Could An Explosion On the Sun Do Here On Earth?
The sun is essential plant food that’s heating our planet, but we don’t often think about the wild things happening on and below its surface. So, we talk about those wild things, and how they can affect us all the way down here on Earth.
Whatever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
It might feel like they’re making us cooler, but refrigerators and air conditioning are actually making our world warmer. Yes, they use a huge amount of electricity, but many older cooling methods also released tons of molecules that are still hanging around, shredding our ozone layer. We consider how we might keep ourselves and our food cool, without accidentally warming up our world.
What Meteors Reveal About Earth’s Hidden Past
Our planet has been rocked by many-a-meteorite, and they’ve left not just themselves as space debris but also craters and even molecules needed for life. Now we’ve started to travel to them, and they might be a key part of our forays into deep space. In this episode, we’re talking about meteors and asteroids, and why they should matter to those of us living down here on earth.
The Invisible Tsunami That Killed 1,500 People in One Night
On August 21, 1986, violent explosions rocked Cameroon’s Lake Nyos. A wave of water over 15 meters high flattened vegetation along the southern shore, but a second deadly, nearly invisible wave of carbon dioxide blanketed the nearby towns, suffocating residents and animals. In this episode, we investigate how a lake could explode and shoot out a gigantic wave of deadly carbon dioxide gas.
The Terrifying (but Awesome) Science Behind Red Tides
Maybe you already knew that deadly algal tides discolor ocean waves, deplete the water of oxygen, and release toxins that can kill a huge range of ocean critters, but did you know that the tiny organisms that cause red tides are also an extremely important part of our ecosystem? We dive into the science behind th
The Great MOLASSES Flood of 1919
When you think “molasses,” you probably think “slow, sticky,” or “totally boring,” but in January, 1919, a tsunami wave of molasses destroyed Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and leaving another 150 injured. We get into the science behind what created that 25 foot wave, and why there was such a crazy amount.
Challenger: The Real Story of an Avoidable Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle broke apart just 73 seconds into its flight. All seven crew members aboard were killed and space travel was changed forever. We explain the science behind this tragic, avoidable accident, and what scientists, engineers, and ethicists have learned from it over the last few decades.
The Loneliest Whale
Out in the deep swims an elusive whale who has never been seen, but has been heard for years. The whale sings a song outside the normal whale-song frequency. Does that mean none of its fellow whales can understand it? In this episode we bring you the story of the Loneliest Whale, as well as some of the fascinating science surrounding these gigantic mammals.
The Ultimate Coffee Roasting Chemistry Throwdown
How hard could roasting beans at home really be? Sam and George go head-to-head in a coffee roasting competition to find out and Candy Schibli, the founder & head roaster of Southeastern Roastery, provides expert advice.
You’re Using Disinfectants Wrong
Sure, you’ve got a product that says “kills germs” under your sink, but will it really destroy the new coronavirus on surfaces? Turns out that if you’re using a disinfectant like a regular cleaner, you might not actually be disinfecting at all. To make sure you’re destroying 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, doing these three things is critical.
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