BrainStuff

In the United States, wires are measured by diameter using a standard called AWG, or American Wire Gauge. Discover how the AWG system works -- and where it came from -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people store water for emergencies -- but is it true that water sitting for too long will go bad? Listen in as Marshall Brain breaks down the science of water purification in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UL stands for 'underwriters laboratories,' a safety testing organization -- but what exactly does this group do, and why do they do it? Tune in and learn more about the UL mark in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered how much gold the world has produced over time? How about platinum? Get the grand totals in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before there were light bulbs, candles made the world a brighter place. Discover the ingenious technology behind candles in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might recognize frankincense and myrrh from the Biblical story of Jesus, but have you ever wondered exactly what they are? Tune in to get the skinny on frankincense and myrrh in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An electric toothbrush gets power from its base without the help of metal contacts. Find out how this sealed system works in the following podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you put a fresh piece of wood on a hot fire, volatile organic carbons in the wood evaporate, creating smoke. Learn more about smoke in this Brainstuff podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An X-ray machine is essentially a camera that uses x-rays to expose the film, instead of visible light. Learn more about x-ray machines in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mucous contains mostly water and mucin -- a branched polysaccharide. When polysaccharides such as mucin or cornstarch are mixed with water, the result is a sticky substance.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.