#077

Who's doing what to our salt? What's iodine, do we need it, why, and how do they get it in there? This week Melissa and Jam dive head first into figurative iodized salt dunes. Let's take a closer look at the chemistry of something so everyday, we hardly even think about it.

References from this episode

1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es0719071
2. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/ed077p984#:~:text=The%20presence%20of%20iodine%20in,in%20preventing%20simple%20endemic%20goiter
3. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ed062p1016
4. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/february-2016/salt-facts.html
5. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill/

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Amanda Raymond
• Emily Morrison
• Kyle McCray
• Justine
• Emily Hardy
• Ash
• Vince W
• Julie S.
• Heather Ragusa
• Autoclave
• Dorien VD
• Scott Beyer
• Jessie Reder
• J0HNTR0Y
• Jeannette Napoleon
• Cullyn R
• Erica Bee
• Elizabeth P
• Rachel Reina
• Letila
• Katrina Barnum-Huckins
• Suzanne Phillips
• Venus Rebholz
• Jacob Taber
• Brian Kimball
• Kristina Gotfredsen
• Timothy Parker
• Steven Boyles
• Chris Skupien
• Chelsea B
• Avishai Barnoy
• Hunter Reardon

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#228

In this festive episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating science behind why ribbons curl when pressed against a blade. The discussion covers polymers, their molecular structures, and the forces at play during this process. With a blend of personal holiday memories and a detailed analogy involving crocheted yarn, the duo makes complex chemistry accessible and fun for all listeners. They also share their favorite holiday traditions and movies, making this episode a blend of heartwarming stories and educational content.

00:00 Guess the Sound Game
01:37 Introducing the Topic: Curly Ribbon Science
03:51 Chemistry Behind Curly Ribbon
04:20 Polymers and Their Properties
05:59 Crochet Analogy for Polymers
12:23 Molecular Mechanics of Ribbon Curling
15:34 Practical Tips for Perfect Ribbon Curls
19:36 Holiday Reflections and Chemistry Recap
22:37 Understanding Polymer Behavior
24:28 Molecular Forces and Rearrangement
28:02 Holiday Traditions and Memories
36:33 Favorite Christmas Movies
40:37 Wrapping Up and Listener Shoutouts

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

References from the Episode:

1. https://books.byui.edu/plastics_materials_a/plastic_high_strain_#:~:text=The%20molecular%20interpretation%20(in%20polymers,rupture%20and%20the%20sample%20breaks.
2. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02076https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35809116.amp
3. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1514626113
4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ba-1993-0233.ch005
5. https://courses.ems.psu.edu/matse81/node/2109

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Amanda Raymond
• Emily Morrison
• Kyle McCray
• Justine
• Emily Hardy
• Ash
• Vince W
• Julie S.
• Heather Ragusa
• Autoclave
• Dorien VD
• Scott Beyer
• Jessie Reder
• J0HNTR0Y
• Jeannette Napoleon
• Cullyn R
• Erica Bee
• Elizabeth P
• Rachel Reina
• Letila
• Katrina Barnum-Huckins
• Suzanne Phillips
• Venus Rebholz
• Jacob Taber
• Brian Kimball
• Kristina Gotfredsen
• Timothy Parker
• Steven Boyles
• Chris Skupien
• Chelsea B
• Avishai Barnoy
• Hunter Reardon

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#227

Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind firecrackers and Christmas crackers. They discuss the key component, silver fulminate, explaining its unstable nature and how it reacts to create the explosive effects. The discussion also touches on the octet rule, formal charges, and isomers. Along with sharing personal experiences and pranks involving firecrackers, they also recount historical debates between chemists over the discovery of isomers and their eventual agreement. The episode highlights the importance of chemistry in understanding everyday phenomena and ensuring safety.

00:00 Introduction and Firecracker Anecdotes
00:58 Chemistry of Firecrackers
04:53 Explosive Chemistry Explained
19:55 Historical Discoveries and Isomers
24:20 The Origins of a Scientific Discovery
24:48 Friendship and Scientific Collaboration
25:24 Understanding Isotopes and Isomers
27:20 Chemistry Behind Christmas Crackers
30:26 Fireworks and Safety Concerns
35:52 Fire Alarms and Home Safety
42:33 Supporting the Show and Community Shoutouts

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

References from the Episode:

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Amanda Raymond
• Emily Morrison
• Kyle McCray
• Justine
• Emily Hardy
• Ash
• Vince W
• Julie S.
• Heather Ragusa
• Autoclave
• Dorien VD
• Scott Beyer
• Jessie Reder
• J0HNTR0Y
• Jeannette Napoleon
• Cullyn R
• Erica Bee
• Elizabeth P
• Rachel Reina
• Letila
• Katrina Barnum-Huckins
• Suzanne Phillips
• Venus Rebholz
• Jacob Taber
• Brian Kimball
• Kristina Gotfredsen
• Timothy Parker
• Steven Boyles
• Chris Skupien
• Chelsea B
• Avishai Barnoy
• Hunter Reardon

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.