logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
29m 44s

Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hicc...

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode
Melissa and Jam delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carcinogen, and the controversies surrounding hydrogen-rich water bottles. Additionally, they explain how catalysts work and respond to various chemistry-related inquiries from their engaged audience. 
Up next
Yesterday
How does your AC actually make cold air?
Is your air conditioner secretly doing chemistry while you’re inside pretending summer doesn’t exist? How does it turn hot air into cool air, and why does part of the AC blow out even more heat? In this episode, Melissa and Jam crack open the mysterious black box of air condition ... Show More
38m 50s
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
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
Why we hiccup
Listeners told us that eating baby carrots or telling lies can bring on the hiccups. Burping or kissing can make them stop. Um, what? For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show. Also, email ... Show More
29m 41s
May 2024
The Magic of Chemistry with Kate the Chemist
<p>What is chemistry? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice take fan questions on exothermic reactions, PFAS, ice cream, sugar, fire, and more with Kate Biberdorf, aka Kate the Chemist.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: <b ... Show More
42m 58s
Apr 2025
How to stop your hiccups
Listeners told us that eating baby carrots or telling lies can bring on the hiccups. Burping or kissing can make them stop. Um, what? (First published in 2023.) Guests: Tyler Cymet, chair of medicine at The Chicago School, and Ali Seifi, professor of neurosurgery at the Universit ... Show More
30m 6s
Nov 2021
Cosmic Queries – The Hidden Chemistry of Everything with Kate the Chemist
<p>Is chemistry truly <i>everywhere</i>? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions about chemistry with Kate Biberdorf, aka Kate the Chemist. Discover the chemical reactions that make our world work!</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can w ... Show More
50m 40s
Nov 2025
How Science Can Hack Flavor
Will eating mint cancel out the feeling of spice in your mouth? How do you manipulate aroma compounds to mimic the taste of lemon? When it comes to the science of flavor, there is no shortage of questions to ask. On this episode, Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by renowned flavor ... Show More
30m 20s
Apr 2025
Explosive Science with Kate the Chemist
<p>What are chemical reactions like in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice team up with Kate the Chemist to explore how cesium helps us tell time, the elusive quest for the periodic table’s “island of stability,” how AI is revolutionizing chemistry, and more!</p><p>NOTE: St ... Show More
54m 29s
Jul 2021
The Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life & What Does it Mean to Be Alive?
When you order something online, do you then track the package to see where it is and when it is coming? This episode begins with the results of a survey about how people track their orders and why and how they hate it when a package is late. https://blog.4over.com/delivery-track ... Show More
50m 37s
Sep 2020
How effective are DIY Vitamin C recipes? episode 236
Send us Fan MailOn today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Do allergens last through soap reactions?What is CBD doing in my adult product?Is this DIY Vitamin C recipe worth all the hype?Beauty Science NewsUnilever to axe petrochemicals from it’s entire cleaning rangeA ... Show More
57m 49s
Mar 2020
Q&A: COVID-19, Solar Storms & Ancient Teeth
What happens if you overwater a plant? How does gravity actually work? And should we be cancelling mass events to contain the coronavirus? It's Q&A time on the show, and this week Phil Sansom is joined by a brainy panel of experts: plant biologist Nadia Radzman, particle physicis ... Show More
59m 30s
Mar 2023
Cosmic Queries – Astrochemistry with Kate the Chemist
<p>How is chemistry different in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Matt Kirshen explore cosmic chemistry, the periodic table, and more with Kate Biberdorf aka Kate the Chemist. Is the periodic table complete?</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode c ... Show More
47m 15s