Chemistry For Your Life

Question and Response 63 In this episode Melissa and Jam embark on an 'Ask a Chemist' segment, delving into the ethics surrounding the field of chemistry and addressing listener questions. They discuss managing discussions on the dark side of chemistry, why certain chemicals emit characteristic colors in the flame test, and share personal experiences regarding the toughest classes in their educational journeys. The episode also features listener interactions about nostalgic glow-in-the-dark items and anecdotes about the complexities and joys of studying and practicing chemistry. Join them for an engaging exploration of the ethical dimensions of chemistry and the field's fascinating nuances. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:15 Addressing the Ethics of Chemistry 07:29 Fun Chemistry Questions 09:03 Personal Stories and Hardest Classes 18:39 Nostalgic Glow-in-the-Dark Items 21:54 Community Engagement and Closing Remarks Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

#202 Melissa and Jam dive into a fun and educational holiday-themed activity using poinsettia plants. They explore the chemistry behind these festive plants, specifically focusing on anthocyanins, which are pigments that give the leaves their red color and act as pH indicators. The episode includes a hands-on experiment that listeners can try at home to visualize how different household items can change the color of poinsettia leaves. Perfect for a holiday break activity that educates and entertains both kids and adults. 00:00 Introduction to Holiday Activities 00:24 The Poinsettia Plant: A Festive Icon 01:21 Chemistry Behind Poinsettias 02:35 Historical and Cultural Significance 04:36 Anthocyanins and Plant Pigments 07:54 Understanding Light Absorption 11:47 Interactive Chemistry Lesson 18:52 Exploring the Fascinating World of Light and Color 19:50 Understanding the Science Behind Color Perception 22:10 Fun Science Experiments with Kids 22:56 Making Poinsettia Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide 24:37 Creating Homemade pH Paper 26:14 Testing Household Items for Acidity and Basicity 27:42 Interactive Chemistry Activities for All Ages 37:09 Wrapping Up: Chemistry Fun for the Holidays References from this episode: https://www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/17-%E2%80%93-Poinsettia-Plant-Indicator.pdf https://bibliotecadigital.ipb.pt/bitstream/10198/3206/1/artigo%20Food%20Chemistry,%2063,%201998,%20435-440.pdf http://lib3.dss.go.th/fulltext/Journal/J.agri.food%20chem/1999/no.1p1-216/1999v47n1p67-70.pdf https://www.compoundchem.com/2013/12/16/poisonous-poinsettia-ph-indicators/ https://youtu.be/ORl6EKQI1ws https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/plantchemcast/the_dark_myth_of_the/ https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00113?ref=article_openPDF https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154322000734 Thanks to our monthly supporters Scott B Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

#075 Rebroadcast Happy holidays, we hope you have a wonderful season whatever you celebrate! We've got a holiday related episode for you: LEDs. Well I guess we use them all year round, but they get an extra spotlight this time of year. What are they? How do they work? How are they different from other lights? Let's find out! References from this episode Inorganic Chemistry, Edition 4, Miessler and Tarr https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/leds-to-light-up-the-world/3004661.article https://cen.acs.org/materials/inorganic-chemistry/chemical-search-better-white-light/96/i46     Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Chelsea Morelos Dorien Vdb Scott Beyer Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

#201 Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind air dusters. They explore the components inside these cans, and how the physical properties of these chemicals can lead to rapid evaporation, cold burns, and potential hazards. Listeners will learn about the processes of pressure and boiling, the potential dangers of misuse, and how these air dusters work to clean keyboards and other surfaces. The episode is inspired by listener questions and personal anecdotes, making the complex chemistry accessible and engaging. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Curiosity 01:10 Chemistry of Air Dusters 01:35 Listener Questions and Real-Life Examples 04:47 Chemistry Lessons: Gas and Liquid States 06:23 Pressure and Temperature Effects 14:13 Explaining the Air Duster Mechanism 23:02 Understanding Gas Molecules and Boiling 23:45 Potential Dangers of Compressed Air 24:46 Chemical Burns and Frostbite 25:49 Substance Abuse Concerns 29:14 Safe Alternatives for Cleaning Keyboards 31:43 Summary and Chemistry Recap 37:47 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 43:11 Supporting the Show and Closing Remarks   References from this episode: https://www.medicinenet.com/is_your_child_or_teen_huffing/views.htm https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article/24/4/234/4733835?login=true https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-017-0202-0 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10550887.2022.2027207 https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article/24/4/234/4733835 https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article/28/6/909/4636891 https://youtu.be/pMPKnF8WHf8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910720300086 Thanks to our monthly supporters Scott B Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 12 (Rebroadcast) Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine chocolate and gum. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it's a little gross.   Thanks to our monthly supporters Scott B Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife  

Join a delightful journey into the world of chewing gum. Discover what gum is actually made of, including fascinating details about its polymer base and flavor release. Bust the myth that swallowed gum stays in your digestive system for seven years. Learn about the environmental impact of gum and a company that recycles it into new products. With personal anecdotes and nostalgic reflections, the hosts connect chemistry with memorable moments, making this discussion both fun and educational.

Question and Response 62 New College-Style Sweatshirt! In this special bonus episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam dive into listener-submitted questions, covering everything from the rarity of crystals and the chemistry of sourdough to the science behind melting ice on roads in Canada. Along the way, they explore fun tangents about nostalgic movies, glow-in-the-dark nostalgia, and much more. It’s an eclectic mix of chemistry, pop culture, and community interaction! Thanks to our monthly supporters: Julie S. Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R   ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Dive into the chemistry behind the famous belief that carrots improve night vision! Discover how beta carotene transforms into vitamin A and rhodopsin, essential for sight in low light. Explore the origins of this myth rooted in WWII propaganda and enjoy fun anecdotes about favorite fall foods like pumpkins and sweet potatoes. The hosts blend science with humor, making complex concepts relatable, while also sharing personal stories that celebrate community and seasonal delights.

#055 Rebroadcast 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 question. References from this episode https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884753/ https://www.usda.gov/codex https://www.fda.gov/files/food/published/PDF---Guidance-for-Industry--Proper-Labeling-of-Honey-and-Honey-Products.pdf Honey: Chemical composition, stability and authenticity, da Silva et. Al https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.09.051 Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at chemforyourlife@gmail.com And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/ 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 Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

#198 In this special Halloween episode Melissa and Jam explore the spooky yet fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark chemistry. The discussion delves into nostalgic aspects of Halloween, focusing particularly on phosphorescence and the forbidden transitions that cause electrons to glow. The chemistry behind these glowing phenomena is explained with engaging analogies, making complex concepts more accessible. They also share their favorite glow-in-the-dark items from childhood, connecting science with personal memories. The episode is a fun and informative dive into the eerie light of glow-in-the-dark materials. 00:00 Spooky Halloween Introduction 00:42 The Science of Glow in the Dark 05:07 Understanding Electron Excitation 16:10 The Forbidden Transition 20:25 Exploring Electron Excitation 21:41 Forbidden Transitions and Rare Materials 22:21 Space Analogies and Electron Behavior 24:35 Creative Analogies for Electron States 26:02 Recap and Detailed Explanation 33:06 Glow-in-the-Dark Nostalgia 39:24 Listener Engagement and Support   References from this episode: https://www.eia.gov/kids/for-teachers/lesson-plans/pdfs/GlowInTheDarkSecondary.pdf https://youtu.be/V32ex9eCFHI https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/strontium-aluminate/3008606.article https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/z/zinc-sulfide.html Physical Chemistry by Levine, 6th edition  We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!   Thanks to our monthly supporters Scott B Jessie Reder Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife