logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2021
32m 44s

Why do cornstarch and water do that thin...

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode

#078

It's one of life's most head-scratchy questions, and one of the most popular chemistry mysteries for youtubers. So let's get to the bottom of this crazy, shape-shifting substance, and finally find out why cornstarch and water do that thing!

How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!

References from this episode

  1. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/getting-tomato-sauce-out-of-the-bottle-minus-the-mess
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/rheology
  3. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/2016-2017/february-2017/no-hit-wonder-d3o.html
  4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef502171d
  5. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c01760
  6. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed082p445
  7. http://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2009/08/walking-water-er-oobleck-science-chicago-finale
  8. https://www.pnas.org/content/116/42/20828.short?rss=
  9. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/oobleck-bring-science-home/
  10. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-quicksand/#:~:text=Quicksand%20is%20a%20mixture%20of,filled%20with%20air%20or%20water.
  11. https://www.nature.com/news/2005/050926/full/news050926-9.html
  12. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/microscopy-reveals-why-ketchup-squirts/3002513.article
  13. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/2016-2017/february-2017/no-hit-wonder-d3o.html
  14. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/issues/2016-2017/February%202017/chemmatters-feb2017-d3o.pdf



Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at chemforyourlife@gmail.com
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

Thanks to our monthly supporters
  • Ciara Linville
  • J0HNTR0Y
  • Jeannette Napoleon
  • Cullyn R
  • Erica Bee
  • Elizabeth P
  • Sarah Moar
  • Rachel Reina
  • Letila
  • Katrina Barnum-Huckins
  • Suzanne Phillips
  • Nelly Silva
  • Venus Rebholz
  • Lyn Stubblefield
  • Jacob Taber
  • Brian Kimball
  • Emerson Woodhall
  • Kristina Gotfredsen
  • Timothy Parker
  • Steven Boyles
  • Chris Skupien
  • Chelsea B
  • Bri McAllister
  • Avishai Barnoy
  • Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Up next
Aug 21
What makes fireflies glow?
Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex series of chemical reactions involving specific molecules like luciferin and enzymes like luciferase. The discussion extends to how t ... Show More
56m 31s
Aug 14
Ask a Chemist: What would be worse, drinking bleach or gasoline? (and other questions)
Melissa and Jam dive into a variety of listener-submitted questions. They discuss the science behind fluffy shave ice versus mainland shaved ice, the effectiveness and safety of ozone treatments for smoke smells, and the potential impact of glyphosate on human health. They also e ... Show More
48m 53s
Aug 7
Why is sweat salty?
Melissa and Jam explore the science behind why sweat is salty. They discuss personal experiences with sweating, the types of sweat glands, and the chemical processes involved in sweat production. The episode explains how osmosis, ion channels, and salt concentrations contribute t ... Show More
37m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
What is the Immune System Secret Weapon to Fight Disease?
Have you ever wondered how our body fights off infection and disease? It's a pretty cool process. Our guest, Dr. Namita Gandi, is an immunologist and she is going to explain the secret weapon that your immune system posseses to keep you healthy.   #sciencepodcast #sciencepodcastf ... Show More
29m 12s
Jul 2024
The BEST of the Amazing Ocean
The Solve It! for Kids Podcast is on summer break! Enjoy our BEST of the AMAZING Ocean!   You'll hear clips from:  Ep 194 How Do You Do Science at Sea? Ep 200 How Much is there Still to Learn about the Ocean?  Ep 196 How Long Can Humans Live Underwater?  #sciencepodcast #sciencep ... Show More
31m 5s
Aug 2024
Summer picks: the science of ‘weird shit’
The psychologist Chris French has spent decades studying paranormal claims and mysterious experiences, from seemingly impossible coincidences to paintings that purportedly predict the future. In this episode from April 2024, Ian Sample sits down with French to explore why so many ... Show More
18m 59s
Apr 2018
What is The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week?
Here at Popular Science, we write (and read) dozens of stories every week. And though many of the fun facts we stumble across during our research make into an article, something always hits the cutting room floor. But we still want to share that information with you. So, welcome ... Show More
2m 20s
Feb 2025
UK AI & science-optimised pasta
Artificial intelligence is the big talking point of the week, with UK PM Sir Keir Starmer announcing a drive to unleash its full potential. It’s already being used in healthcare, but recent studies have exposed both strengths and weaknesses. We’re joined by Dr James Kinross, a su ... Show More
28m 21s
Sep 2024
Shiny: Why we are dazzled by new sparkly things
This week, Apple releases the new iPhone 16. It's new, it's shiny, and tech-nerds will be queueing round the block for a chance to snap it up. But why? We look at the science behind why we get so dazzled with new and shiny things.We hear about the psychology behind our magpie ten ... Show More
49m 30s
Mar 2025
Why Would You Build an Exoskeleton?
You may know that some animals have exoskeletons, but why would a human want to build an exoskeleton? Perhaps if robots are involved. Take a listen to Bill Billotte, executive director of the Exo Technology Center of Excellence as he talks to us about the usefulness of exosuits a ... Show More
32m 12s
Sep 2024
How Do Animals Change Over Time?
Want to learn some cool fun facts about some of your favorite animals? And how they might have changed over time? Take a listen to our guest, Alex Re, host of the On Wildlife podcast as he chats with us and teaches us some interesting information about the world of animals.  #sci ... Show More
29m 56s
Sep 2023
Mystery of Everything Preview
Mystery of Everything is a captivating and thought-provoking podcast that takes you on a journey into the mysterious and unexplained realms of our world. Join our hosts, Gabby Bell and Brenna Hatter, two accomplished scientists with a passion for unraveling the enigmas that have ... Show More
58s