chemistry

Statue of Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge in Germany.

7 Facts About Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge

Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, the subject of a a new Google doodle, is the German chemist who identified caffeine.

10 Facts About the Element Lead

Ancient Romans put it in everything—even their wine.

Pslawinski, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.5

8 Facts About the Element Neon

Most of the signs you think are neon are actually made with other gases.

How to Make a Homemade Pie Crust, According to Science

You just need three ingredients: Flour, water, and fat. What could go wrong?

The Science Behind Brining Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Why exactly does brining make your roasted turkey so delicious?

Your Showerhead Is Really Gross—and It Might Make You Sick

Time to get out the bleach.

8 Facts About Silver

Silver makes it rain—in more ways than one.

How Fossil Fuel Use Is Making Carbon Dating Less Accurate

It's deeply concerning to archaeologists and paleontologists who rely on the method.

8 Dangerous Items That Used to Be Allowed in Kids' Chemistry Kits

Way back when, chemistry sets were stocked with poison and blowtorches, all in the name of education.

This 6.5-pound gold nugget was sold at auction in 2010.

10 Lustrous Facts About Gold

All the gold on Earth may have come from outer space.

10 Electrifying Facts About Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday's formal schooling was limited, but his work as a bookbinder allowed him to learn about chemistry, physics, and a mysterious force called "electricity."

6 Radiant Facts About Irène Joliot-Curie

Marie Curie’s elder daughter had a brilliant and tragic career of her own.

10 Facts About Silicon

If you have a cell phone in your pocket or dirt on your shoes, you’re carrying silicon.

Marie Curie Has Been Declared the Most Influential Woman in History

The two-time Nobel Prize winner tops the BBC's list of 100.

How Does Catnip Work?

Not all cats love it.

13 Scientific Explanations for Everyday Life

The processes behind the physics of LEGOs, the chemistry of laundry, and more.

Popcorn Might Be the Cheap, Biodegradable Robot Power Source of the Future

All you need is heat to make it work.

This Startup's Simple Chemical Process Could Break Down the Plastics We Can't Recycle

It even works on plastics that have been contaminated by food.

Vivian Abagiu, University of Texas at Austin

This LEGO Box Could Be Key to Detecting Deadly Nerve Gas

Scientists at UT Austin have developed an inexpensive, portable way to detect nerve agents in the field, and it starts with toy bricks.

The Simple Way to Reheat Your French Fries and Not Have Them Turn Into a Soggy Mess

Enjoying crispy leftover fries at home is possible.

How Long to Steep Your Tea, According to Science

You're a quick chemistry lesson away from a better brew.

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Is Causing Another Explosive Problem: Laze

You don't want to come into contact with even the slightest wisp of it.

Narayan Khandekar, director of the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies

To Dye For: Inside the Vast Library That Stores the World’s Rarest Pigments

The rainbow of jars at the Straus Center can tell us a lot about how art comes into being—and how to save it.

New Clear Coating for Everyday Objects Repels Practically All Liquids

Bid farewell to fingerprints on your phone.