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How does reverse osmosis actually work?
#236
When a retired chemist wrote in… we had to explore to his great questions. How does reverse osmosis actually work? Should you put aluminum foil in your dishwasher? Why do mixed powders mysteriously un-mix themselves? This episode is full of clever questions, surprising chemistry, and very strong contributions from listener Vince!
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
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro + listener Vince brings the chemistry
1:30 – Reverse osmosis: what it is and why it works
2:00 – Osmosis explained simply
3:35 – Reverse osmosis vs normal filtration
4:20 – What reverse osmosis removes (PFAS, salt, contaminants)
5:00 – Why “pure” water can create new problems
6:10 – Why some companies re-mineralize water
8:10 – Water kiosks, PFAS, and an unexpected lead problem
10:40 – Why reverse osmosis creates so much wastewater
11:40 – Should you put aluminum foil in your dishwasher?
13:00 – Why dishwashers are secretly chemical reactors
16:00 – Melissa’s theories on what the foil might be doing
17:00 – Aluminum, silver tarnish, and stainless steel
21:10 – Sacrificial metals: aluminum protecting steel
24:20 – Dishwasher complaints + real life testing plans
26:20 – Why powders and solids can “un-mix” themselves
27:45 – The Brazil Nut Effect explained
29:20 – Why mixed particle sizes matter
30:40 – Instant coffee jars, Raisin Bran, and product design
31:30 – Mark Rober, floating in sand, and weird physics/chemistry crossover
33:40 – Bird tangent: woodcocks stomping for worms
35:15 – Wrap-up + thanks to Vince and the Chemmunity
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
Kelly D.
Bri
Summer Alden
Amanda Raymond
Kyle McCray
Justine
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
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.
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By Melissa and Jam, Bleav
4.6
294294 ratings
#236
When a retired chemist wrote in… we had to explore to his great questions. How does reverse osmosis actually work? Should you put aluminum foil in your dishwasher? Why do mixed powders mysteriously un-mix themselves? This episode is full of clever questions, surprising chemistry, and very strong contributions from listener Vince!
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
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro + listener Vince brings the chemistry
1:30 – Reverse osmosis: what it is and why it works
2:00 – Osmosis explained simply
3:35 – Reverse osmosis vs normal filtration
4:20 – What reverse osmosis removes (PFAS, salt, contaminants)
5:00 – Why “pure” water can create new problems
6:10 – Why some companies re-mineralize water
8:10 – Water kiosks, PFAS, and an unexpected lead problem
10:40 – Why reverse osmosis creates so much wastewater
11:40 – Should you put aluminum foil in your dishwasher?
13:00 – Why dishwashers are secretly chemical reactors
16:00 – Melissa’s theories on what the foil might be doing
17:00 – Aluminum, silver tarnish, and stainless steel
21:10 – Sacrificial metals: aluminum protecting steel
24:20 – Dishwasher complaints + real life testing plans
26:20 – Why powders and solids can “un-mix” themselves
27:45 – The Brazil Nut Effect explained
29:20 – Why mixed particle sizes matter
30:40 – Instant coffee jars, Raisin Bran, and product design
31:30 – Mark Rober, floating in sand, and weird physics/chemistry crossover
33:40 – Bird tangent: woodcocks stomping for worms
35:15 – Wrap-up + thanks to Vince and the Chemmunity
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
Kelly D.
Bri
Summer Alden
Amanda Raymond
Kyle McCray
Justine
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
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.
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