Ask a Chemist #66

Melissa and Jam dive into a range of listener-submitted questions exploring everyday chemistry. Topics include the chemistry behind toasting herbs, the effect of gravity on elemental bonds, the purpose and ethics of creating elements with short half-lives, and the effectiveness of cough medicine. They also discuss potential causes of mysterious holes in clothing, the debate on food dyes, and the impact of politics on scientific research funding. The hosts wrap up by addressing various listener questions and sharing some heartwarming and supportive messages from their audience.

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00:00 Introduction
01:24 Toasting Herbs: The Chemistry Behind the Flavor
03:05 Gravity's Role in Chemical Bonding
06:44 The Ethics of Creating New Elements
10:17 How Cough Medicine Works
13:06 The Debate on Food Dyes
15:57 The Yellow Cheese Phenomenon
16:35 Colorful Ceviche and Natural Foods
17:58 Chemistry Hot Takes and Listener Questions
19:03 Cleaning Lab Counters and Acid Holes
21:10 Listener Feedback and Podcast Reflections
25:33 Impact of Politics on Science Funding
29:19 Encouraging Messages from Listeners
30:40 Supporting the Podcast and Final Thanks

References from this episode:

1. https://www.rsc.org/news-events/community/2017/jan/new-elements/

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#209

Melissa and Jam dive into the fascinating chemistry behind how plants transport water from their roots to their leaves, effectively defying gravity. They explore processes such as capillary action and the cohesion tension mechanism, citing a primary source from Nature journal. Melissa and Jam also touch on key chemistry concepts like water polarity, hydrogen bonding, and osmosis, providing examples from everyday life. Jam shares a personal story about germinating an apple seed with his son, while Melissa discusses her adventures in native plant gardening. The episode concludes with a shoutout to their Patreon supporters and details on upcoming Chemistry for Your Life merch.

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00:00 Introduction and Tea Talk
00:17 Plants Defying Gravity
01:05 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life
01:20 Listener Question: Chemistry of Pregnancy Tests
02:11 Capillary Action in Everyday Life
03:57 Personal Stories and Plant Enthusiasm
05:15 Chemistry Lessons: Water Polarity and Hydrogen Bonds
10:32 Water Transport in Plants: Xylem and Capillary Action
16:00 Transpiration and Water Loss in Plants
23:32 Curiosity About Soil and Water Content
24:23 Water Movement in Trees
26:53 Understanding Osmosis
28:37 Practical Applications of Osmosis
31:12 Capillary Action and Plant Water Transport
33:15 Fun Plant Stories and Experiments
41:11 Supporting the Show and Community

References from this episode:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531
2. https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
3. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/
4. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
5. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01
6. https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html
7. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Vince W
• Julie S.
• Heather R
• Autoclave
• Chelsea M
• Dorien VD
• 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

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#098 Rebroadcast
Original Air Date: June 3, 2021

Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we discuss new and recent research in the world of histamine, and believe us, there's some really cool stuff.

References from this episode

1. https://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/06/Tracking-Histamine-Levels-Glowing-Nanosensors.html
2. https://cen.acs.org/articles/92/web/2014/12/Chemical-Cocktail-Lures-Bedbugs-Coaxes.html
3. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/antibiotics/Common-allergy-drug-makes-resistant/97/i24
4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05515
5. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamines.html
6. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.9b03300

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• Suzanne Phillips
• Nelly Silva
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• Lyn Stubblefield
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#097 Rebroadcast

Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pollen make us all sniffly? Why does this beautiful season have such a dark side? Let's find out.

References from this episode

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
2. https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/histamine/3005799.article
3. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/h/histamine.html
4. https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i19/Periodic-Graphics-Allergies-Antihistamines.html

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• Ciara Linville
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• Cullyn R
• Erica Bee
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• Sarah Moar
• Rachel Reina
• Letila
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• 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

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#208

Melissa and Jam dive deep into the topic of FDA regulations, particularly focusing on food additives like red food dye. They discuss the complexities of the FDA's approval process, the Delaney Clause, and recent changes in the regulation of red dye number 3, which has been banned in response to cancer risks found in rats. They also delve into how other countries like the UK and Canada are ahead of the U.S. in reevaluating approved substances. The episode includes personal anecdotes and a discussion on the role of public awareness in influencing FDA policies. They wrap up with a lighthearted conversation about sprinkles and favorite dyed foods.

00:00 Introduction and FDA Discussion
00:36 Podcast Banter and Hat Story
02:42 FDA's Role and Food Additives
04:48 Red Food Dye Controversy
11:33 FDA Trustworthiness and Public Perception
18:29 Comparing Food Regulations: US vs. Canada
18:50 Trusting the FDA: A Personal Take
20:02 Challenges Faced by the FDA
20:56 Rebranding the FDA: A Fun Idea
22:16 Sprinkles and Donuts: A Sweet Debate
26:51 Favorite Dyed Foods
30:44 Podcast Wrap-Up and Community Shoutouts

References from this episode:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856711009531
2. https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
3. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/23026007/
4. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
5. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/FDA-bans-red3-food-drugs/103/web/2025/01
6. https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/october-2015/articial-dyes.html
7. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10502305/

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Question and Response 65

Melissa and Jam delve into a variety of interesting chemistry-related questions sourced from Reddit. They explore why farts stop smelling over time, the non-oily nature of Castile soap, why cookies and candies remain safe to eat at room temperature, and the mechanics behind rice cookers. They also discuss how opening a bottle can freeze its contents and offer reassurance to a chemistry Ph.D. student worried about forgetting basic chemistry knowledge. The episode is filled with insightful explanations, humor, and chemistry support, answering the everyday scientific queries of curious Reddit users.

00:00 Introduction and Reddit Questions Overview
01:44 Where Does a Fart Go?
04:01 Why Cookies and Candy Don't Spoil Quickly
07:31 How Do Rice Cookers Work?
10:52 Why Does Opening a Bottle Freeze the Contents?
15:16 How is Castile Soap Not Oily?
17:18 Forgetting Basic Chemistry as a PhD Student
24:35 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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#207

Melissa and Jam explore why gasoline doesn't freeze in extremely low temperatures while water and other substances do. They delve into the concepts of intermolecular forces, polarity, and how impurities can affect the freezing and melting points of substances. The discussion includes a comparison of the behavior of different substances at varying temperatures, and a light-hearted conversation on favorite liquids that can exist in both liquid and solid states. They also hint at upcoming merchandise related to the topic.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:43 Why Gasoline Doesn't Freeze
03:10 Chemistry Behind Freezing and Melting
06:43 Intermolecular Forces Explained
15:44 Practical Implications and Fun Facts
20:46 Listener Questions and Closing Remarks

References from this episode:

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#011 Rebroadcast

Why is honey sticky but salt isn’t? What’s the difference between things that stick and things that just feel sticky? In this episode, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind adhesion, cohesion, and the forces that make substances cling to surfaces (and to our fingers). They explore intermolecular forces, viscosity, and why some things are nearly impossible to separate once they’re bonded. Plus, Jam shares a hilarious mix-up of words, and Melissa breaks down why this topic turned out to be trickier than expected!

Topics Covered:

• The difference between adhesion and cohesion

• Intermolecular forces: the unseen power behind stickiness

• Why some things feel sticky while others are just stuck

• How temperature and viscosity affect our experience of stickiness

• Why hydrogen bonding plays a key role in making substances cling

• Listener-submitted answers on the “scientific word for sticky”

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S
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• Letila
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• Lyn S
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