Reactions

It’s the first day of autumn and the telltale signs are here: Crisp weather, pumpkin spice lattes and most importantly, the leaves are changing colors. Ever wonder why some leaves turn red, others yellow and some just turn brown?

The iPhone 6 is almost here and the preorders are piling up. But what do you really know about the insides of the iPhone 6, or any smartphone for that matter? We've found the chemical elements lurking inside a smartphone with help from our friends at the Compound Interest blog. A typical smartphone contains about 300 milligrams of silver and 30 milligrams of gold. Not to mention small amounts of extremely rare elements like praseodymium, gadolinium and terbium. And what's with this "ion-strengthened glass" that Apple is bragging about? It's all about the potassium bath your phone takes before it rolls off the assembly line.

Chemistry Life Hacks is back with new tips that can change your life, or at least the temperature of your beer. In this episode, you'll learn how to cool your brews quickly before the big game starts, get fruit flies out of your kitchen for good, how to cook the perfect patty on the grill and get a remedy for the dreaded "stinky sponge syndrome."

Best-selling author Sam Kean stops by Reactions this week to debunk the myth of the Megalodon, the 50-foot super shark that, despite what "Shark Week" may lead you to believe, is long-extinct. Kean's book, "The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements," is getting the Reactions treatment in a video series produced for the newly launched American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT). In this episode, Kean unravels the myth of a living Megalodon, explaining how the element manganese holds the key. For more Disappearing Spoon videos, join the AACT at http://www.teachchemistry.org.

Few ingredients come with as much baggage as MSG. Otherwise known as monosodium glutamate, the compound has had a bad reputation for nearly 50 years, so we at Reactions felt it was time to clear its name. In this video, we debunk MSG myths and explain why the scientific consensus is that this flavor enhancer, known for its savory umami flavor, is perfectly safe for the vast majority of people.

Peeing in the ocean: Many have done it, but few admit to it. Fortunately for beachgoers everywhere, our latest episode of Reactions explains why, from an environmental perspective, it is absolutely OK to pee in the ocean. Special thanks to Chemical and Engineering News reporter Lauren Wolf for the video idea -- read her original blog post on peeing in the ocean here: http://cenblog.org/newscripts/2013/07/to-pee-or-not-to-pee-that-is-the-chemsummer-question/.

Many people think of crystals as little more than sparkly things behind glass cases in museums. But crystals are everywhere, from the dinner table to the human body. Because 2014 is the International Year of Crystallography, Reactions is celebrating with a video highlighting five surprising facts about crystals.

This week Reactions makes first contact with the kerbalnauts! Through the fun of Kerbal Space Program, we examine the chemistry of rockets. Featuring Doane College Postdoctoral Fellow Raychelle Burks, Ph.D., we look at solid and liquid propellants and the “ride-able explosion” that is a rocket launch.

Here at Reactions, we ask the tough questions to get to the bottom of the biggest scientific quandaries. In that spirit, this week’s video explains why dogs sniff each other’s butts. It’s a somewhat silly question with a surprisingly complex answer. This behavior is just one of many interesting forms of chemical communication in the animal kingdom.

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol™, is one of the most popular pain relievers in the world, selling more than 27 billion doses in 2009 alone. It can reduce fevers, eliminate aches and pains and relieve cough and cold symptoms. But how does it work? The truth is, no one knows exactly. This week, Reactions examines the theories about the popular pill.

Cocaine, cash and chemistry: 4 science secrets you should know about money. Subscribe to Reactions to learn more every week! (Cash not included) I bet you didn't know those dollar bills in your pocket have a hint of cocaine on them. Or that there are hidden inks and features to prevent counterfeiting. These are just a couple fascinating facts about money to make you scientifically richer.

The 2014 World Cup final is almost here, and no matter which two teams meet for the title match, there's one thing they'll both need to win: the ball. The "brazuca" is different from most other soccer balls out there, and our pals over at the Compound Interest blog dug in to find out why!

From the sizzle of the fuse to the boom and burst of colors, this video brings you all of the exciting sights and sounds of Fourth of July fireworks, plus a little chemical knowhow. John A. Conkling, Ph.D., shows how the familiar rockets and other neat products that light up the night sky all represent chemistry in action.

A poem by Dr. Carl Djerassi.

This video highlights the ways chemistry has made sex safer and (in one surprising case) spicier. From latex condoms to warming lubricants, birth control to emergency contraception, chemistry plays a big role in the bedroom, and not just the chemistry between you and your partner.