Topic: Physical

The 2014 World Cup "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.

We've found the chemical elements lurking inside a smartphone with help from our friends at the Compound Interest blog.

In this episode, we visited McFadden Art Glass in Baltimore, Maryland, to learn about the chemistry of this ancient material.

In this episode of Reactions, learn how you, too, can make magnetic and colored slime!

Learn about an unusual polymer that’s found everywhere you look, from cars to shoes to rocket fuel – even sports balls of all varieties!

In this episode, Sophia Cai chats about the chemistry of your why natural hair color turns white, and how scientists may be able to slow that graying down.

A Reactions viewer asked us, "Why do metal things corrode?" It’s a great question and number two in our Reactions Q & A series. And did you know that metals actually PREFER to be rusted?

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens with its intense plot will have you on the edge of your seat. But is it possible to create a real-life lightsaber or build a Death Star laser?

Go to any paint store or nail-polish shelf and you’ll see a dozen or so variations of the color black. Even inside a crayon box, there are a lot of shades. But what is the blackest black out there?

These sprays can work wonders, but how do they actually work? Do they really remove the smell or just mask it?

We explain the original way the Fantastic Four got their power – radiation – with help from SciPop Talks.

If you don’t have a tattoo, you probably at least know someone who does. In this video we explore what tattoo ink is made of, why this body art is permanent and other cool facts.

This week, Reactions talks about the chemistry of HRT and what happens when the body undergoes major shifts in estrogen and testosterone — two very powerful hormones.

The first food myth is one we've heard a lot: microwaving your food zaps the nutritional value. Watch to find out why that's a lot of malarkey.

Some say using frozen vegetables means losing some nutritional value. But are those some that say right?

This week, Reactions looks at the chemistry of the Avengers, including Tony Stark’s suit, Captain America’s shield and Black Widow’s super-fast healing.

Our latest Chemistry Life Hacks video explains how to make your own glass cleaner, keep red wine from staining your carpet and why spit can also be a great cleaning product.

Could you make your own Game of Thrones Valyrian steel sword using real-life chemistry?

Blue jeans are among the most popular clothing items in the entire world. But how did Levi Strauss get his “workwear” so blue?

If there’s one man in Hollywood that knows the value of chemistry, it’s Michael Bay.

Did you know that one minor chemical change would make that rose not smell as sweet? Chemist Raychelle Burks, Ph.D., explains why.

Mary Sherman Morgan, Alice Ball and Rachel Lloyd all had amazing accomplishments in chemistry, but their work was nearly lost to history.

While you wait out the winter months, we’ve got advice on keeping your windshield fog-free, getting unstuck from the snow and even how to make your own hand warmer.

As Carl Sagan famously said, “We are made of star stuff.” Whoa. It’s a mind-boggling thought, but what exactly did he mean?

Chemistry Life Hacks is back with new tips that can change your life, or at least the temperature of your beer.

Crystals are everywhere, from the dinner table to the human body. Here are five surprising facts about crystals.

This video brings you all of the exciting sights and sounds of Fourth of July fireworks, plus a little chemical knowhow.

This video highlights the ways chemistry has made sex safer and (in one surprising case) spicier.

The survivors on "The Walking Dead" can learn a lot from chemistry when fighting off walkers. In this video, Dr. Raychelle Burks explains her idea for a "death cologne".

The pain of a bare foot pressing down on a Lego is one of the worst. Today, we're talking nociception folks, and how these blocks pack enough punch to send you into orbit.

To kick off this football season, Reactions looks at everything that goes into a football helmet and how chemistry helps keep players safe.

Through advances in crystallography, scientists have learned a lot about the staggering structure and the number of possible shapes in snowflakes.

To fire up the grill or the gas stove, we often reach for a match. The best way to find out about the chemistry of burning matches is to watch it in ultra-slow motion.