Cosmic Chemistry with Kate the Chemist & Neil deGrasse Tyson

How is chemistry different in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Matt Kirshen explore cosmic chemistry, the periodic table, and more with Kate Biberdorf aka Kate the Chemist. Is the periodic table complete?
How long after the Bing Bang did chemistry start? Learn about the chemistry of the universe and nuclear chemistry. Are molecules common in space? Could the periodic table of elements be different in different parts of the universe? Is the periodic table full? Discover what it takes to make a new element and learn about the work of Dr. Yuri Oganessian. How is chemistry on Earth different from other parts of space? We break down STP and a rare molecule made out of xenon.
To create life, is all you need just the right ingredients and enough time? Could aliens have a nitrogen-based system instead of a water system? Why are UV rays hostile to biology? We explore how sunscreen works and how UV radiation kills cells. We also discuss the logistics of hydrogen powered cars.
In a supernova explosion, how do we get heavier elements than iron? Is there a maximum molecule size? What is the most powerful chemical explosion we know of? Discover the difference between TNT and dynamite. Can we use light spectra to see alien pollution?
Thanks to our Patrons Matt Jones, Robby League, Jason D. Belcher, Timothé Payette, and Scott Hosier for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #neildegrassetyson
2:40 - When did chemistry start?
6:20 - Is the periodic table different in other parts of the universe?
10:00 - Earth versus Space
12:30 - Rare molecules, STP, & Xenon
18:44 - Asteroids, Organic Molecules & The Building Blocks of Life
21:12 - Biochemistry On Other Planets & Nitrogen
24:20 - Why is UV light hostile to biology? Why?
28:00 - Parts of space we can’t go due to reactions with rocket exhaust and surrounding chemicals?
35:00 - Iron & Stellar Fusion: Where did the heavier elements come from?
37:50 - Maximum Element Size
40:16 - What’s the most powerful chemical explosion?
42:08 - Can we use spectra to see alien pollution?

[@TheExplodingGerbil]

Kate The Great! Have her back again, brilliant communicator and enthusiasm 👏 👌

[@zoranshterev6870]

Yes, she is a great communicator. Please consider having her back.

[@fruitgums]

She needs to sit down, toooo bouncy her name should be Tigger

[@joehebert789]

UV light is often used by saltwater reef keepers as a sterilizer against cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates, and to reduce the spread of algae. Keeping a saltwater reef tank is a great way to interact with chemistry in a very practical way. I really enjoyed this show and its positive energy.

[@StarTalk]

Thanks for the tip, Joe! Keep Looking Up!

[@jannichi6431]

Wish I could think of her name, but have you seen the doc on the Coral Reef women (maybe English)? She's no longer with us, but her work and foundation lives on.

[@reallymysterious4520]

@@jannichi6431 Do you mean Sea Women of Melanesia -- Sea Women Great Barrier Reef Program - started by the Coral Sea Foundation ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKC1dml4ftSGf9E

[@tylerhensley2312]

Most large city pools also use uv light to help sanitize their pool water.

[@greggweber9967]

Would it be practical to wave an ultraviolet light around close to the reef? Range, intensity, duration, pressure, side effects on other creatures, cost per hour for the light and boat?

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024

[@danielcurtis4179]

NASA would be funded so much more.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

@@danielcurtis4179 I imagine, so would education.

[@Teamrocketgrunt_420]

​@@danielcurtis4179 🎉

[@Ervan80]

yes please

[@pierrerouthier1400]

​@@michaelccopelandsr7120 ww⁹

[@thomasnickel8808]

Thank you so very much for your efforts. That was really super interesting. If everybody had teachers like you guys are, we would have been on Mars 40 years ago.

[@andypeiffer5]

Chemistry is nuts. My least familiar area and love that Kate is back!

[@cozmicarchitect]

Inorganic chemistry was my least favorite subject in chemistry. Also, chemistry in general was not fun from theoretical standpoint of having to calculate molecular structures. Practical was fun though.

[@thescottishcyclist4640]

if kate didnt have a back she'd be so forward...

[@dononelson]

Plus Dr. Becky Smethurst loves to tell chemists that all of chemistry can be explained in a couple of pages of quantum mechanics. 😂😂

[@sebasfccs]

I'm not a scientist but I've always been curious about science and I loved to see that there are people like me. Thank you guys for feed us with this great knowledge

[@stevesmith4600]

Kate was awesome. Such interesting topics and information. I love Chuck, but you can tell Matt did his prep for the show, which really made for an efficient session. 10 out of 10 episode.

[@angsta22]

i was afraid Matt might be able to bite me through the monitor the whole time lol

[@fizzy1922]

I love startalk. I love Kate the chemist. This is probably the best episode

[@krishnabhutada3983]

Absolutely!!

[@wavemaker54]

Kate makes it great.

[@StarTalk]

One of our favorites too!

[@FallenAnvilForge]

@@StarTalk I hope she comes back soon, she's so much fun.

[@matthewcalifana488]

Sorry I only use the f word , But not the c word / Nice lipstick Kate .👄

[@afrodesiac8064]

My favorite chemistry is the chemistry everyone on these shows has with each other 😁

[@andrewscoppetta4944]

Very clever dad. Take my like 👍🏻

[@tonyb4197]

nicely done. glad to see a serious chemistry discussion from dr. kate instead of the middle school "volcanos" projects. i look forward to your podcast

[@sunflowerglitter9233]

Im so grateful I found your channel! 😊I was just watching the last episode you had with Kate and Chuck yesterday so to see you upload this video really made my day. Thank you! 😊 💗

[@randomdazz]

Neil is one of the best scientists out there - he is so down to earh and has a really good sense of humor :)

[@sunflowerglitter9233]

@@randomdazz I know he’s so cool, funny, and genuine. 😎 It’s the icing to the cake and makes learning so much fun.

[@jykugoku]

@@sunflowerglitter9233 you have a life time of content ahead from all the vids here to all his interviews everywhere comiccon JRE CNN Pierse Morgan etc \\\\\\\\\\\\\enjoy!

[@sunflowerglitter9233]

@@jykugoku Thank your first sharing. I’ll definitely look into it.

[@StarTalk]

Glad we made your day :)

[@zovke87]

All my teachers together in 17 years of my education didn't have as much of enthusiasm and smiles as Kate had during this episode. It must be an true joy to attend her classes and the way she is explaining things to is just awesome. Truly enjoyed this one

[@owlredshift]

Be nice if we treated teachers like the invaluable resource they are, and compensated them how they deserve to be. I know I'd be much more enthusiastic when teaching if that were the case. As it currently stands, people begin teaching with vigor and enthusiasm, only to be squeezed ever tighter until their heads pop, only to have parents tell at us about how their kids are not doing their homework and it's our fault.

[@dammy_henry]

one of the best episodes for sure. Kate was energetic and informative. love it

[@sakismpalatsias4106]

Wished I had her as a science teacher.. super cool.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

Loved the discussion but Kate misspoke a bit about STP here. 0 degrees C is the STP temperature. 20 degrees is the SATP temperature (some labs have it at 25). Standard temperature and pressure is a quite different from standard ambient temperature and pressure. Source: I am a chemist as well.

[@trentmckenzie1697]

Having just read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, this episode was so poignant. Kate is such a delight and great communicator and the 3 of you all looked like kids having fun and learning cool science. Such a great episode.

[@BigScienceDP]

Fellow chemist here... Loved this episode! And I want that periodic table ❤

[@johnglielmi6428]

This was one of the best, and most informative episodes yet! Prof. Kate is incredibly articulate, she makes even us lay persons comprehend her explanations. This is why I am also such a fan of Dr. Tyson as well. If I remember it correctly. Alfred Bernhard Nobel The inventor of TNT created the Noble prize because of the destructive forces that TNT caused. and I've also heard that TNT is so unstable because it would sweat Nitro-Glycerin, which is highly reactive.

[@user-jc7ki8cm3s]

Nobel invented dynamite which is a mixture of nitroglycerin and diatomaceous earth. TNT or trinitrotoluene is a different unrelated chemical. Kate's implication that they were the same is wrong.

[@barberchopin96]

WOW Kate is incredible! Super knowledgeable, and an expert teacher!!

[@asdfjkl7430]

32:55 I'm gonna check out her NPR podcast, "Seeking a Scientist"!

[@jamiboothe]

"Standard Temperature and Pressure" There is so much that is beautiful about that scientific ideal. That is how we live our lives and the chemistry of what we know so far. The segment about Xenon and it`s ability to change a bit under different circumstance is fascinating. We use Xenon, in extreme circumstance, to create the light that is powerful enough to illuminate the screens in traditional movie theaters. The Xenon is under pressure, and has shaped anodes and cathodes, that hold the plasma in a tight shape, depending on the need of the projector. The temperatures are just short of the temperature what would deform the Sio2 envelope, and the reducing types of glass that cushion the thermal shock. My point is, that chemistry is completely dependent on the changing STP, and mass will stay predictable, as long as the STP in knowable.

[@leonmusk1040]

Nice I used to run carbon arc when I was 10-12 and always wondered at the amazing topography and state change in the rods tips and marvel at the amount of ozone it was generating ripping the ionic bonds in the o2 in the chamber only to learn later that my rods had flash graphene everywhere lol

[@thewinddb]

Star Talk's involving chemistry is very yummy for my brain. Please cover this subject more often. Thanks.

[@owlredshift]

Can you guys do more "Chemicals Edition" as Neil called it? I've listened to hundreds of full star talk episodes and this was the most enlightening, and provided amazing insights to how things work. When you can hear experts talking to each other, they skip all the introductory stuff that, while obviously helpful, often gatekeeps the real insights locked up behind them.

[@CPallDAYbaybee]

Awesome video like usual! As an engineer I rocked physics and mathematics but chemistry and biology never fully clicked for some reason. Strange how that works.

[@Veklim]

It is more often than not to do with the manner in which the subject is taught, at least in my experience. When you get right down to the nitty-gritty details of separating out the traditional disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology it's only really a matter of scale and complexity. You start with forces and their interactions (mathematics), then extrapolate to subatomic particles and their interactions (physics), then move on up the scale until you get atoms and molecules, with their interactions (chemistry) until finally those chemicals get complex and varied enough to generate what we term as life (biology). Ultimately, biology is just complex, unruly chemistry, which is just complex and unruly physics, which is (you guessed it) complex and unruly mathematics. The models and rulesets we use to measure and comprehend each scale may differ but the core fundamentals of our reality all stem from probability wavefunctions, so in essence, all the sciences are merely mathematics with consequences.

[@YousufAhmad0]

She said HeH+, which is an ion, which she clarified. She did not say Li, which would be the product of He-H fusion, but Dr Tyson repeatedly assumed she meant fusion. Can you please clarify. Thanks

[@willmendoza8498]

Great episode. Definitely have her back on the show

[@PeterL-ms3sy]

OMG, at 17:17 Kate the Chemist just explained by accident how life, the first 'living' molecules, had been created... they didn't even notice! Awesome!!!

[@abduljabbarmohammed4188]

Kate's passion about chemistry is contagious.

[@patricktilton5377]

There's a theory that there can only be up to 137 elements due to the Fine Structure Constant. This saddens me a bit, because some while ago I liked to imagine an even heavier element with 144 protons, which I would like to be named 'Grossium' [with 'Gr' as its symbol], with a stable isotope having 256 neutrons, making a total of 400 nucleons. When I read about the 137-proton limit for higher elements, it sort of ruined it for me. However, there are some other theorists who don't accept that 137-proton limit, so maybe my 'Grossium' idea isn't completely ruled out.

[@jasonhayward6965]

Der I found two . Beautiful works . Worked it into a centre of the room deal showing how and where these undiscovered elements are in the universe and why.

[@kraahk1928]

Kate definitely has a lot of chemistry. If not all. I definitely felt it. What a great guest. This was awesome. Thank you and all the best for the new podcast.

[@yolomolo2736]

17:14 she talks about the conditions but forgot to mention the expanded octet rule, boom. She forgot to say that under these conditions the noble gas expand their already full electron shells to take in more electrons, thus making it able to bond with the other element. A Lewis dot diagram shows the element symbol in the middle and electrons of the outermost shell, normally the most electron dots you can have is 8 with two on each side making a bond. Under the octet rule, you would have the bonds plus extra pairs of electrons on the noble gas atom. For example XeF has for bonds to the Xe and 2 extra pairs of electrons to the Xe. There’s your daily dose of science 🧪

[@wanderingron2063]

This the best episode they have had in a while 🤣😂

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Very entertaining and informative. Wish I was taught about the periodic table with this much enthusiasm and knowledge. Great compliment to 'The Origins of the Elements' by Jefferson Labs. Thanks for sharing.

[@WilliamJackson9393]

StarTalk is so great

[@TheMrDarius]

That kid asking that question was a really good question one that I definitely never thought about

[@grujarek]

Great episode with great guests. Great questions, great answers. And sound quality was great. I want more 😊👌

[@DonJohnSpain]

If my chemistry teacher was as enthusiastic as professor Kate, I'm very sure I would have been much more interested in that discipline. Bravo Kate.

[@AnnoyingNewsletters]

Loving the way Matt is rapid fire pitching the queries. He's quite the curator of questions.

[@asdfjkl7430]

These three work together well. 👍. Great show.

[@guysteel]

OMG I love her. I have two grand daughters, 8 and 12. I see Kate has a line of children's books aimed at young girls getting introduced to stem and chemistry. I am going to buy ALL of them and have them at my house for my girls. Go StarTalk. Thanks Neil.

[@dasiro]

using the f-word in Kate's class is like using astrology in Neil's 🤫 thumbs up for calling him out for it

[@justinb2598]

I enjoyed the conversation with Kate the chemist so I looked up another video from 2 years ago. In this video she said her periodic table was from 1924 in the older video she said it was from the 60s I'm wondering if this was prefabricated by producers to highlight the centennial of quantum physics.

[@leticiazaragozafitnessinst1805]

11:34 why couldn't my Chemistry male teacher tell this to us to begin with? I had to take chemistry twice to get a 3.8. I'm so grateful for my second chemistry teacher , named Linda Keunert at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, NY for being such an incredible teacher. She made everything tangible

[@joshh7666]

having learned Chemistry at school in England we were taught STP as 273.15K 1atm and RTP as 298.15K 1atm. Since we're being pedantic and inquisitive

[@dchildr360diurnalnutrition]

My mind is blown! I’ve been a student of chemistry (minor in chemistry from UF) for years and I need to learn more about H- and Xe. What a great episode!

[@adammdcfc8186]

Brilliant video! can you guys please invite Brian Greene for another cosmic queries video, I think your last video with him was very interesting. Thank you.

[@barbaralachance5836]

Brian Greene is my favourite Startalk guest of all time ❤️ that man is just so smart!

[@CW19941]

I remember the time when I had the whole table memorized, but now all I remember is that pure sodium reacts violently with water, and the same goes for all the elements in that same column with varying degrees of reactiveness 🤓

[@tahntongkfen1360]

My oh my..I know a lot of y’all thinking this as well but Kate the Chemist is drop dead gorgeous. Man I would take any class she’s teaching just for the heck of it 😅.

[@chaos4197]

Best. Episode. Ever. Fascinating content, great chemistry between the hosts.

[@DavidBadilloMusic]

I see what you did there. 🙂

[@wonderfulworldoforganicchem]

I love these questions, and I swear I'd love too answer them one day. 🎉🎉🎉

[@MarkMonyhan1]

You guys mentioned the nerd date. That brought a tear to this nerd.

[@jorymil]

Watching Kate is like seeing Drew Barrymore with a Ph.D. Quite cool!

[@dancooper8551]

Excellent episode! Kate is great.

[@netgnostic1627]

If you fuel an internal combustion engine with H₂ - it's really hard not to end up creating oxides of nitrogen, which are pollutants. The brownish haze that you can see hanging over a city is N₂O. They are created in gasoline and diesel engines too. When combined with water they can turn into nitrous acid and nitric acid. Are they created by H₂ fuelled rockets too?

[@elankumarenselvakumar7995]

For the two of the questions asked, 1) what's the element which is possibly the basis for any other form of life 2) what's the element which is the most destructive of all, the answer is Nitrogen...how to comprehend this??

[@warrenjoseph76]

I’ve never learned more in a shorter space of time, and been entertained throughout. This was fantastic

[@davidbryant2872]

Fabulous episode! Kate is a wonderful guest!

[@brianjones6500]

An Atmosphere is nothing important without people curious enough to look up. Kate isn't messing around.

[@SiqueScarface]

As far as I remember, the explosive part of Dynamite is Nitroglycerine, not Trinitrotoluol. It gets mixed with kieselgur (diatomaceous earth), which stabilized it, otherwise it would explode at the slightest shake.

[@Julkkis1980]

Yes, TNT and nitroglycerine are different substances.

[@jamesgreenler8225]

😃👏 There are minerals we haven't found examples of yet in nature yet we can mathematical plot its existence.

[@bruceneeley1724]

A great episode of Startalk would be focusing on 1924. Not only in quantum mechanics but in philosophy & art. 1924 is when the Manifestoes of Surrealism was written. It was an incredible year.

[@isatousarr7044]

Yes, there are likely undiscovered elements yet to be identified, especially in the higher regions of the periodic table where elements become increasingly unstable. These elements, often created in particle accelerators, may have unique properties and behaviors not seen in known elements. As our experimental techniques and theoretical models improve, the search for these new elements continues. What new insights might undiscovered elements provide into the fundamental nature of matter and the forces governing the universe?

[@SilentRacer911]

I always found it fascinating that Xenon is psychoactive, meaning like laughing gas, it has an intoxicating effect And I’m sorry Neil, 68 degrees F is room temp for me, I sweat a lot, my room temp as a teen was around 63-65

[@Wis_Dom]

Less than 1 minute in, and i'm like, Wait? Did Neil just say, "Farts?" 🤣

[@ariannanorris-landry4428]

When I was a kid the periodic table didn't have this many to memorize. This should tell you how far science has come in the last 50 years

[@sonny5069]

I'm at 33:00 for the Greater GooD. Have you noticed ? Kate is standing this whole Time. Amazing this is of importance.

[@bojow8102]

Thank you for the videos. Hope everyone is doing well and having a good day 👍

[@TheExplodingGerbil]

You too!

[@StarTalk]

Hope you are too! :)

[@simateix6262]

Great to see Kate back. I'm definitely going to listen to her new podcast too

[@R0bobb1e]

Kate the Chemist seems like a wonderful person! I've rarely smiled as much as I have throughout this episode!

[@MrPDawes]

I wish I had Kate for Chemistry at School. Learned more Chemistry in this podcast than I did in my O level.

[@SuperChicken666]

Neil says he knows "a little bit about chemistry." I will wager that he knows volumes more about chemistry than I would ever begin to comprehend in my lifetime.

[@brucewinningham4959]

Dr. Neil, "Kate the Chemist" seems like a Very Intelligent Chemistry Professor. I Hope you can have her on more. I am highly interested in GeoChemistry as well as CosmoChemistry. PS: Now I am Depressed since I found out Kate is Married. LOL, LOL, LOL.

[@martinrhoads6168]

For most of us our economic and dysfunctional family backgrounds can hamstring us from having the opportunities to explore our world. Now that I am much older and have more free time, I only wish I had more years to live! Fun listening to your program.

[@johnnytowner2610]

At what point do we initiate the starting of time and what was the best projected length ?

[@joppadoni]

I've always found Chemistry difficult. I'll sound like a right freak, but watching Kate, i find Chemistry really interesting

[@ihallback]

Where is Chuck? You guys are the best duo!

[@Monk_Mode_Master]

Neil you need to do more Chemistry podcast. This episode was FREAKING AWESOME ‼️🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾

[@IwasInThe60s]

I cannot believe that all elements in the universe have been discovered yet. Just from when I had Chemistry at school in the 1970's a number of new elements have been added to the Periodic Table. So, I believe it is a continuing process of discovery.

[@wavemaker54]

Great interview, fascinating guest and really informative discussion. Really good chemistry between all three of you. Too bad DeSantis will probably ban the periodic table or require it’s registered.

[@theRationalElement]

Been working on iron chemistry for more than 10 years now, it is more about its electronic configuration. The d orbital tends to be more stable with half filled orbitals like there are 6 electrons in the d orbital that can actually fit in 3 d orbitals out or 10 each compensating 3 but the electrons tend to divide into 4 in order to attain stability by coupling in 2 and with 1 each in another 2 by dividing half (5) in 2.5 d orbitals to attain stable configuration. That’s why the edge of fiss and fusion as Neil says. This makes Fe3+ stable. It also explains wonderful Fenton chemistry and advanced oxidation processes.

[@randomdazz]

If you lot aint watched neils Cosmos series as well you need to - I am not even 25% through yet and im hooked already

[@clomok]

I wish I had Kate as my chemistry teacher. I would have remembered a lot more now 20 years later.

[@jannichi6431]

Seaking a Scientist starring Chemistry with Kate, so glad there's at least one in Texas. Thank goodness for Austin🥰🤠

[@wallykramer7566]

Kate has an infectious laugh! If she didn't try to dodge the field of view, I would never stop watching!

[@stewartbonner]

68 degrees F room temp is an British Imperial reference value. US Imperial room temp reference F value is 72 degrees.

[@dsnitely]

And my R.I.P. grandmother needed at least 78°F to feel comfortable. The age old battle of women vs. men wanting different room temperatures 😊

[@robbieparr3753]

Metallic hydrogen actually exists and is behind the Jovian magnetic field?! BEST FUN FACT EVER!!! My dad and I both took the same general chemistry classes 40 years apart and both of us were taught “hydrogen can behave like a metal but that’s for another course”. Until now, that’s where the story ends. I just called my dad and he was also fascinated and glad to finally hear how hydrogen can be a metal. Thank you!

[@chrisbudesa9355]

Temperature and pressure

[@gabbrielstonesoul9496]

love the conversation ... as a vet of the US Army as a Combat engineer, I HAVE walked around with TNT in my rucksack ... from my understanding, TNT is more stable than dynamite that destabilizes over time

[@bombonalvarez3802]

We need more programs like this.

[@ancientneophyte8322]

Please, Mr. Tyson, would you explain the column in the back of your scene? How did it get there? Is it Greek, Ionic, Doric or 1920's Kitsch?

[@StanDavid-ix6yk]

More of Kate the Chemist.. She is awesome.

[@dracomaster4]

I love you guys, but the only sad part about it is I didn't learn anything new :( Keep on keeping on though, everyone else should hear all of this!

[@terryl7874]

👍 Excellent video! Loved science chemistry was a huge challenge.

[@MrDJAK777]

Dynamite is liquid nitroglycerin and binder/stabilizer that makes it a solid that won't blow if it's bumped around unless it's old and the NG has been seeping out. tnt is trinitrotoluene separate explosive compound all together but made with more less the exact same procedure.

[@markedly1013]

If we all could have only had a teacher like Kate!

[@philippedaussy6817]

Can the limit of the number of elements be relates to the radius of action of the strong or weak forces ?

[@M1keDaly]

For me, I love chemistry, this is one of the best shows Ive seen on this channel.

[@OkosHugPillow]

Kate is great. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

[@yankostoyanov3269]

Easily one of my favorite StarTalk episodes. I love physics and I try to keep in the loop but as of late i've been thinking how poorly I understand the chemestry behind stuff. And seeing a charming and energetic lady of all things makes it so much better. Hope more women start seek knowledge and not kardashian culture. Great experience as always !

[@michelemerick599]

2 questions: is life inevitable? And: the periodic table looks as it does because of our 2D representation. What would it look like if it were 3D? What does the 3rd axis represent? And could we then “pry in” new elements that way?

[@aaroncamss1623]

great info. i feel like im in class and am at recess while listening to you guys! yay!

[@marknovak6498]

I learned in elementary school in the 70s there was a way to make a molecule out of an inert element. Obviously not easy but pressure and heat in the right combination of chemicals can force the issue.