Ask a Chemist: What things should you never mix? (and other questions)

What happens when you mix bleach and ammonia? Why does perfume smell amazing on one person and weird on another? And why is getting a job so hard right now? This week we’re answering a huge batch of listener questions about chemistry, sunscreen, scents, books, careers, birds, and somehow even British accents. Plus, we accidentally brainstorm several new podcast ideas along the way. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Timestamps 0:00 – Listener question extravaganza begins 1:00 – What ingredients should NEVER be mixed together? 1:30 – Bleach + ammonia and dangerous chloramine gas 2:40 – Food combinations that actually are bad 3:30 – How SPF and sunscreen work 5:00 – Why perfumes smell different on different people 6:30 – Body chemistry, temperature, and scent longevity 8:00 – “Why is it so hard to get a job?” 9:00 – Post-graduation job hunting advice 10:15 – Treating job searching like a full-time job 11:00 – Using chemistry skills in unexpected careers 12:00 – Certifications, courses, and standing out 14:15 – Book recommendations from listeners and hosts 15:50 – Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and classic books 17:00 – “Phoebe Reads a Mystery” and audiobook-style podcasts 18:20 – Human similarities to elements and chemical bonding 19:45 – Why chemistry analogies help us learn 22:00 – Are American accents annoying to British listeners? 23:45 – Melissa considers starting a reading podcast 25:00 – Listener suggestion: chemistry changes that impacted real life 25:45 – Podcast-inspired life changes: sunscreen and Teflon 27:00 – Shoutouts to listeners, friends, and good coffee 29:20 – The missing bird fact mystery 30:20 – “Please don’t stop uploading” 31:00 – Reflecting on nearly 7 years of the podcast 31:45 – Patreon, merch, and intermolecular forces merch talk 33:45 – Chemmunity thank-yous and outro Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from the Episode: Thanks to our monthly supporters Kelly D. Bri Summer Alden Amanda Raymond Kyle McCray Justine Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.