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Chemistry For Your Life


Chemistry For Your Life

How do fans cool us off?

Thu, 29 Jan 2026

#230


Winter has us longing for warmer weather. BUT when it's a hot day how do fans keep us cool? Do fans actually lower the air temperature? What role does evaporative cooling play? Find out how the movement of air molecules around your body is the key to feeling cooler. Plus, discover some fascinating insights into energy distribution, the impact of fans on air conditioning, and even some fun personal anecdotes about staying cool in the Texas heat.


00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:44 The Science Behind Cooling with Fans

01:27 Egg Analogy: Understanding Heat Transfer

03:39 How Fans Actually Work

10:47 The Role of Air Conditioners

12:31 Understanding Air Cooling Mechanisms

13:11 Insights from a Power Company

13:45 The Science Behind Fans and Energy Efficiency

16:28 Evaporative Cooling and Its Benefits

17:21 Explaining the Concept Back

21:37 Personal Experiences with Cooling

24:12 Supporting the Show and Community

27:08 A Funny Camp Counselor Story


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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



Support this podcast on Patreon
Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com


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Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth?

Thu, 22 Jan 2026

#037 Rebroadcast


It's the lesson we've all had to learn the hard way. The pain our mouths feel when we take a treacherous swig of the post-brush poison. This week, Melissa and Jam delve into all of our childhoods to figure out the chemistry of this infamous mixture. Why does it taste so bad? Who's fault is it, the toothpaste or the orange juice? Also while we're at it, why is it called toothpaste? Nevermind, I'm not sure we'll be able to get to the bottom of that part.


References from this episode



  1. Why Does Toothpaste Make Orange Juice Taste Bad? - American Chemical Society

  2. Why Does Orange Juice Taste So Bad After Brushing? - South Springs Dental Group


 

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


 


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



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.

Does wool actually resist odor and bacteria?

Thu, 15 Jan 2026

#229


What makes wool an essential fabric for many people? Is lanolin truly antimicrobial, or is wool itself responsible for its famed properties? Join us as we unravel the complexities of wool and lanolin, diving into its chemical structure, historical anecdotes, and surprising anti-odor capabilities. Does wool really keep the bacteria at bay, or is there more to the story? Tune in and explore the chemistry behind this wonder fabric!


00:00 Listener's Request: The Mystery of Lanolin

01:08 Introduction to Chemistry for Your Life

04:08 The Complex Chemistry of Wool

11:33 Exploring Lanolin: Properties and Uses

19:51 Exploring Lanolin in Wool

19:59 Investigating Wool's Antimicrobial Properties

20:54 Odor Reduction in Wool

21:57 Scientific Explanations and Hypotheses

24:46 Hydrophobic Properties of Wool

26:46 Wool's Interaction with Bacteria

31:04 Complexities of Wool Processing

35:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Support this podcast on Patreon

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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



Support this podcast on Patreon
Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com


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Ask a Chemist: Are X-rays really bad for you? (and other questions)

Thu, 08 Jan 2026

Question and Response #74


Melissa and Jam dive into a series of fascinating chemistry questions submitted by listeners. They explore how food affects the absorption rate of alcohol in the blood, the science behind shelf-stable milk turning solid after opening, and why dogs' feet might smell like Fritos. The duo also answers an intriguing question about the risks of dental X-rays versus ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Additionally, they discuss a fun science experiment involving dissolving candy canes in different liquids, providing a perfect activity for kids to learn about the world of chemistry. Special thanks to the community members and listeners whose questions keep the show engaging and informative.


00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

02:23 How Food Affects Alcohol Absorption

06:42 Shelf-Stable Protein Shakes

10:26 Why Do Dogs' Feet Smell Like Fritos?

14:49 The Risks of X-Rays

17:56 Understanding Dental X-Ray Radiation

18:39 Annual Radiation Dose and Safety

19:32 Comparing Risks: Dental Issues vs. X-Rays

20:12 Why X-Ray Technicians Use Shields

20:59 Explaining Radiation Risks to the Public

22:55 Fun Science Experiments for Kids

25:31 Explaining Polarity and Dissolution to Kids

30:47 Encouraging Scientific Curiosity in Children

34:41 Supporting the Show and Community Shoutouts


Support this podcast on Patreon

Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel


Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com


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References from the Episode:



  1. https://youtu.be/30_QRAC6XOU

  2. https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/licensee-education/alcohol-facts/#:~:text=Alcohol%20does%20not%20require%20digestion,Therefore%2C%20food%20slows%20intoxication.

  3. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-sources-and-doses

  4. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/calculate-your-radiation-dose

  5. https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/around-us/doses-daily-lives

  6. https://ehs.stanford.edu/manual/radiation-protection-guidance-hospital-staff/natural-sources-radiation#:~:text=Cosmic%20radiation%20comes%20from%20the,approximately%2028%20mrem%20per%20year.


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



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.

What is iodized salt? And why?

Fri, 02 Jan 2026

#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/


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


 


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



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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