Chemistry in its element podcast – compounds – Page 14

  • Lemons
    Podcast

    Citric acid

    2015-07-08T00:00:00Z

    If life hands you lemons, make lemonade – or you could make citric acid, a very useful commodity chemical according to Andrew Turley

  • Large rolls of paper
    Podcast

    Sodium sulfate

    2015-07-01T00:00:00Z

    Brian Clegg on sodium sulfate, known as ‘the miraculous salt’ because of its strong laxative effects.

  • Old copper moonshine still
    Podcast

    Methanol

    2015-06-24T00:00:00Z

    Tempted by a tipple of home-brewed moonshine? Andrew Turley examines the risks associated with drinking methanol.

  • A doctor checks someone's pulse
    Podcast

    Cortisol & Hydrocortisone

    2015-06-16T00:00:00Z

    Brian Clegg investigates a compound that calms inflamed joints and excites the stressed brain: Cortisol

  • Man washing his hair
    Podcast

    Parabens

    2015-06-10T00:00:00Z

    Ben Valsler examines the chemicals at the heart of one of the latest cosmetic & food additive scare stories: Parabens

  • Someone wearing a gas mask
    Podcast

    Phosgene

    2015-06-03T00:00:00Z

    Matt Gunther investigates a clear, colourless gas responsible for thousands of deaths in the Great War: Phosgene

  • A pyramid in Egypt
    Podcast

    Calcium hydroxide

    2015-05-27T00:00:00Z

    It rendered walls of pyramids and helps remove unwanted hair - Brian Clegg introduces a compound with many names - Calcium hydroxide

  • Inside of a shell showing mother of pearl
    Podcast

    Nacre

    2015-05-20T00:00:00Z

    From a glamorous necklace to cutting edge body armour - Helen Scales investigates the properties of nacre

  • Woman with a jar of face cream
    Podcast

    Hyaluronic acid

    2015-05-13T00:00:00Z

    Brian Clegg smooths out the wrinkles over the darling of the cosmetic industry, hyaluronic acid

  • Mussels
    Podcast

    Mussel adhesive proteins

    2015-05-06T00:00:00Z

    How do mussels stick tight and weather the constant ocean waves? Helen Scales discovers mussel adhesive proteins

  • an old lamp
    Podcast

    Acetylene

    2015-04-29T00:00:00Z

    Brian Clegg introduces a compound steeped in faded Victorian glamour – acetylene

  • tear gas
    Podcast

    CS gas

    2015-04-22T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton examines a compound banned in warfare but still used by police to disperse crowds: CS gas

  • limpet shell
    Podcast

    Goethite

    2015-04-16T00:00:00Z

    It’s the strongest known biological material and one of the earliest pigments - Helen Scales discovers goethite

  • Bowl of cornflakes
    Podcast

    Niacin

    2015-04-08T00:00:00Z

    Brian Clegg discusses the vitamin found in both breakfast cereal and meteorites: Niacin

  • Petrol station pump
    Podcast

    Octane

    2015-04-01T00:00:00Z

    Start your engines! Simon Cotton looks into one of the few chemical names known well to the public: Octane

  • Toothpaste on a toothbrush
    Podcast

    Fluorides

    2015-03-25T00:00:00Z

    Sensible approach to dental rot or sinister communist plot? Brian Clegg examines the much-maligned fluorides

  • Prozac pills
    Podcast

    Prozac

    2015-03-18T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton introduces the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: Prozac

  • Man undergoing lie detector test
    Podcast

    Sodium thiopental

    2015-03-11T00:00:00Z

    Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week’s compound is sodium thiopental

  • Person sleeping with pills beside them
    Podcast

    Barbituric acid

    2015-03-04T00:00:00Z

    It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid

  • Helical spring
    Podcast

    RNA

    2015-02-25T00:00:00Z

    RNA may be less famous than it’s more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function