logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2019
29m 1s

What even is sunscreen and how does it s...

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of not being burned by the big, ominous, flaming ball of radioactive insanity that lights up our skies each day. Did you know that to some people, radiation burns are no big deal? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ It's actually a very big deal and the sun is constantly trying to kill us all. Save yourselves. 
Up next
Jul 30
Why do diet coke and mentos do that thing?
#044 You know what we're talking about. That spectacular fizzy geyser. This week, Melissa and Jam explore what makes diet coke and mentos go crazy together. Is it love? Is it hate? Is it chemistry? Why diet coke specifically? Or more importantly, why mentos? Let's get into it. Su ... Show More
31m 9s
Jul 23
Why do people hate organic chemistry?
#135 Rebroadcast Well guess what, Melissa is a PhD Doctor now! And you know what that means? She gets to tell us more details about the research she did to get her PhD. Listen to hear what Melissa found as she dove deep into the question "Why do people hate organic chemistry?" fo ... Show More
53m 24s
Jul 20
What if the system needs fixing instead of the students? (BCCE 2026)
What if the biggest challenge in chemistry education isn’t helping students survive—but helping them thrive? In this final bonus episode of our BCCE Community Conversation series, Melissa talks with Dr. Leyte Winfield about creating learning environments where students feel like ... Show More
28m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
What color is the Sun?
Daniel and Katie talk about the amazing physics, chemistry and biology that determines how we see the Sun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
53m 22s
Aug 2025
Is sunscreen really toxic?
For many of us, slathering on sunscreen to protect our skin in the summer months is a no-brainer. But recently social media has been awash with influencers airing their concerns about the potential dangers of this seemingly innocuous product. So is there anything to the claims th ... Show More
16m 12s
Jul 2017
SYSK Selects: How the Sun Works
<p>In this week's SYSK Select episode, amateur astrophysicists Josh and Chuck break out the stats and attempt to explain the complex, boiling ball of gas that we call the sun.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://w ... Show More
27 m
Aug 2024
What You Need to Know About Sunscreen
We've all heard about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but recent headlines have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of certain ingredients found in chemical sunscreens. In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell investigate ... Show More
35m 20s
Mar 2018
Life Beyond The Shield
<p>Life on Earth depends on the planet’s natural shielding, otherwise solar and cosmic radiation would ravage our small blue world. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, sponsored by the National Geographic Channel’s series 'One Strange Rock,' Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick ... Show More
53m 40s
Jul 2020
What If the Sun Dimmed Down? - Guest: Emily Calandrelli
We all know we depend on the Sun, but how much? And what happens to us if the Sun goes down...on us?!  Join Peter and Richard and science communicator and self-described "Space Gal" Emily Calandrelli as we figure out how much our big blue marble depends on that big orange firebal ... Show More
31m 29s
Dec 2011
Spontaneous Human Combustion
<p>Do people really just go up in flames? Do grannies really flare up like roman candles in their rockers and is there anything in science that explains why a middle-aged bachelor might burn down to his sneakers without warning? In this episode, Julie and Robert enter the dubious ... Show More
23m 58s
Jun 2024
85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future
Today&apos;s episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the future.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just $3 a month on Patreon: https://patreon.com/whythisuniverseOur merc ... Show More
37m 23s
Jan 2012
We Are Stardust
<p>The atoms in your heart once burned in the fires of a dead star. Does this constitute an almost-spiritual connection to the cosmos or is it mere chemistry? In this episode, Robert and Julie discuss the billion-year-old carbon inside us.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-cho ... Show More
20m 39s
Jul 2025
How Does Skin Tan and Burn?
When our skin deepens in color after sun exposure, it's trying to protect us from damage. Learn how it works -- plus why you should help it out with sunscreen, and why some people burn instead -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.c ... Show More
10m 29s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami