Chemistry For Your Life

Ask a Chemist: Why are skunks so potent? (and other questions)


Listen Later

Question and Response 72

Melissa and Jam tackle a variety of listener questions about chemistry-related topics. They discuss the differences between conductors, semiconductors, and superconductors, and delve into why minty things feel cold and spicy things feel hot. The duo also addresses the safety of silica gel packets, the potency of skunk spray, and the phenomenon of microplastics. They answer questions from their Patreon community and Instagram followers, touching on the unique properties of Helium-3 and providing tips on polishing silver jewelry. The episode features a blend of informative discussions and humorous anecdotes, making chemistry accessible and entertaining for everyone.

00:00 Introduction and Questions Overview

01:54 Diving into Semiconductors and Superconductors
04:46 Silica Gel and Safety Concerns
09:54 The Science Behind Minty Cool and Spicy Hot
13:40 Addressing Unfinished Business
13:55 Instagram Questions: Skunks and Their Potent Smell
15:47 Instagram Questions: Microplastics and Forensics
17:39 Instagram Questions: Helium-3 and Its Uses
19:55 Instagram Questions: Polishing Silver Jewelry
21:28 Email Question: Sourdough Bread Making Tips
25:32 Wrapping Up 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:

    1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11856799/#B9-jcm-14-01345
    2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/hydrocolloid
    3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5788207/
    4. Thanks to our monthly supporters

      • Amanda Raymond
      • Emily Morrison
      • Kyle McCray
      • Justine
      • Emily Hardy
      • Ash
      • Vince W
      • Julie S.
      • Heather Ragusa
      • Autoclave
      • Chelsea Morelos
      • 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
      • 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


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

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Chemistry For Your LifeBy Melissa and Jam, Bleav

        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6

        4.6

        294 ratings


        More shows like Chemistry For Your Life

        View all
        Science Quickly by Scientific American

        Science Quickly

        1,387 Listeners

        The Naked Scientists Podcast by The Naked Scientists

        The Naked Scientists Podcast

        603 Listeners

        Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

        Nature Podcast

        764 Listeners

        SpaceTime with Stuart Gary by Stuart Gary

        SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

        326 Listeners

        The Quanta Podcast by Quanta Magazine

        The Quanta Podcast

        542 Listeners

        Science Vs by Spotify Studios

        Science Vs

        12,176 Listeners

        Discovery by BBC World Service

        Discovery

        973 Listeners

        BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

        BBC Inside Science

        404 Listeners

        Science Magazine Podcast by Science Magazine

        Science Magazine Podcast

        823 Listeners

        Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

        Unexpected Elements

        356 Listeners

        CrowdScience by BBC World Service

        CrowdScience

        475 Listeners

        Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

        Ologies with Alie Ward

        24,485 Listeners

        The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week by Popular Science

        The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

        2,185 Listeners

        Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

        Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

        2,353 Listeners

        The Supermassive Podcast by The Royal Astronomical Society

        The Supermassive Podcast

        332 Listeners