CHEMISTRY

Can You Put the First 25 Elements of the Periodic Table in Order?

Here’s hoping you paid attention in science class.

Roman coins from the Hoxne hoard, buried in the 5th century in Hoxne, Suffolk, UK.

Lead Pollution May Have Lowered IQs in Ancient Rome, Study Finds

The mass production of silver coins in the Roman Empire had an unintended effect: spewing so much lead into the atmosphere that it may have lowered citizens’ IQs.

There‘s a time and place for black tea (left) and herbal tea (right).

Decaffeinated vs. Caffeine-Free Tea: What’s the Difference?

“Caffeine-free tea” isn't actually tea at all.

Next time someone confuses the two drinks, you‘ll know how to correct them.

Champagne vs. Prosecco: What’s the Difference?

Don’t let wine aficionados hear you confuse these two sparkling beverages.

Why Do So Many Products Come With ‘Do Not Eat’ Packets?

And what happens if you chow down on one anyway?

Super-thin pasta has medical usefulness.

The World’s Thinnest Spaghetti Could Have Surprising Medical Applications

It's 200 times thinner than human hair, and you won't find it at Olive Garden anytime soon.

New Study Reveals the Source of the Corpse Flower’s Horrible Stench

Research (and lots of dry-heaving) has revealed why the flower reeks of weeks-old road kill.

‘Alchemist in His Workshop’ by David Teniers the Younger, 17th century.

8 Fascinating Facts about Alchemy

There’s more to this spooky pseudo-science than simply turning lead into gold.

Tollund Man—a bog body at the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark

8 Kinds of Mummies That Aren’t From Ancient Egypt

China, Chile, and New Zealand are a few places that have historic mummies of their own.

Stainless steel is rust-resistant, but not quite rust-proof.

What Stops Stainless Steel From Rusting?

Stainless steel has a secret ingredient that makes it highly resistant to rust.

Surprisingly, there is truth in this advertising.

Does Febreze Really “Trap” Bad Odors?

When you spritz some Febreze into the air, it actually uses compounds called cyclodextrins to trap those odor-causing molecules.

The key to a brighter smile? Hydrogen peroxide.

How Do Teeth Whiteners Work?

The main ingredient for a whiter smile? Hydrogen peroxide.

The Scientific Reason Cheddar Cheese Tastes So Good

That delicious bowl of cheddar soup is really a big bowl of (good) bacteria.

What Are Urinal Cakes, Anyway?

Don't let the name fool you: Urinal cakes are most definitely not meant to be eaten. So what are they, and what do they do?

There’s a science behind all those colors.

How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

The chemistry behind the vibrant colors of fireworks is another reason to “ooh” and “aah” at the sky this Fourth of July.

Many bread recipes call for active dry yeast, but is it OK to substitute for instant yeast in a jam?

Active Dry Yeast vs. Instant Yeast: What’s the Difference?

You can use active dry and instant yeast interchangeably in most cases, but they’re not exactly the same.

Why Does Fake Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

Learning how to stop a ring from turning your finger green is easy. So is understanding why it happens in the first place.

Your bread and your yoga mat might have something in common.

7 Everyday American Food Additives Banned in Other Countries

Red dye 40, olestra, and rbST all have the FDA’s stamp of approval. In other countries, they’re on the do-not-use list.

9 Fascinating Facts About Fireworks

One state has banned consumer fireworks outright. And in 2012, San Diego accidentally set off all of theirs at once.

9 Fascinating Facts About Urine

You might think that urine is just bodily waste—but you would be wrong. It's been used in cleansers, medicine, and infertility treatments for centuries.

Sprout of Office: Scientists Taught Spinach Plants to Send Emails About Hazardous Materials in the Soil

“I hope this email finds you well during these unprecedented times.” —A spinach plant in your inbox.

Why Are Oceans Salty?

The salt in the ocean comes from two main sources: rocks on land and vents at the bottom of the sea.

8-Year-Old Twinkies Intrigue Fungus Experts

A Twinkie was found shriveled-up and hardened after eight years in a basement, and now scientists are searching for the fungus behind the transformation.

Recently Declassified Soviet Video Shows the Biggest Nuclear Explosion in History

Tsar Bomba—the biggest hydrogen bomb ever—detonated in October 1961, and the Soviet Union caught it on tape.