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Jun 2025
30 m

Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode

This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit. They aim to explain complex chemistry concepts in a manner even a 5-year-old could understand. Questions discussed include why water isn't flammable, how carbonation works, the nature of colors and atoms, cooking processes, caloric changes during cooking, and why drawings on a steamy mirror reappear. The episode emphasizes simplifying complex ideas and making chemistry relatable to everyday life.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:50 Explaining Chemistry Like You're Five
01:31 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life
02:30 Why Isn't Water Flammable?
07:00 How Does Carbonation Work?
09:48 Are Atoms Different Colors?
13:12 What Happens When Cooking Food?
14:14 Understanding the Science of Cooking
15:12 The Chemistry Behind Frying and Toasting
16:35 Exploring the Role of Ingredients in Cooking
17:57 Calories and Cooking: What Changes?
22:49 The Mystery of Steamy Mirror Drawings
27:06 Wrapping Up and Community Thanks

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