The Hidden Chemistry of Everything with Neil deGrasse Tyson and Kate the Chemist - Cosmic Queries

Is chemistry truly everywhere? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions about chemistry with Kate Biberdorf, aka Kate the Chemist. Discover the chemical reactions that make our world work!
What is fire? We break down combustion reactions and how- scientifically- dragons could breathe fire, if they existed, that is. We discuss Kate the Chemist’s fiction series as well as her new book for adults, It's Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry of Everything (amzn.to/3edaA3o). Dive into the periodic table through the eyes of a chemist and an astrophysicist. Astrochemistry anyone? We discuss where we can find lithium on Earth and why not all the iron is in Earth’s core. Did some iron get distracted?
Why did many scholars practice alchemy? Was it just in the pure pursuit of science? Learn some fun chemistry experiments you can do at home. What is stoichiometry? What is catalysis? You’ll learn about functional groups and how an element’s state impacts its reactions. Why don’t we power cars using hydrogen?
Find out about salt ionization and how salt water works. Does cooking food change its chemistry? What is caramelization? Are we on the cusp of discovering a new branch of chemistry? How does an atom work? As a society, have we reached a scientific plateau? We also discuss if there is a chemical solution to combating climate change? All that, plus, what element did astrophysicists discover on the sun before we discovered it on Earth? The answer might surprise you.
Thanks to our Patrons William Kelly, Patrick Weller, Nicholas DeAngelo, George Brietigam, Adam Leos, David Bryan Smith, and Mick Mowchenko 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
00:00 - Introduction
03:51 - Dr. Kate Biberdorf talks Kate the Chemist
05:19 - What is Dragon breath made of?
08:44 - Kate's Periodic Table
10:07 - Patreon Q&A
11:37 - Where do we find lithium?
13:09 - How Earth's elements arrange themselves
16:54 - How Alchemy relates to Chemistry
19:57 - Chemistry experiments for kids
24:06 - What is Stoichiometry?
25:15 - Why we use Lithium instead of Helium in batteries
28:55 - What could go wrong in a high school chemistry class?
31:16 - Can we make a rocket car?
33:23 - Dr. Biberdorf's Husband
34:25 - Where you can find Dr. Kate Biberdorf
35:01 - The science of salt water
38:28 - Are raw vegetables healthier?
41:50 - Is there anything left to discovered in chemistry?
44:31 - Do you know any mad scientists?
46:23 - Have we reached a scientific plateau?
47:24 - Can we use chemistry to remove plastic in the ocean?
49:27 - Which element was discovered on the sun before on Earth?
50:07 - It's Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything

[@tmrogers87]

Chuck speaking serious truth at the beginning. I get he is the comic relief, but I think there is real and valid concerns he is voicing. We all feel that way from school at some point. It’s important for education communicators like Neil to acknowledge and continue to do excellent work making learning fun

[@WestExplainsBest]

Absolutely! Most of my students even say they would prefer to learn from KZbin rather than their teacher. Teaching job #1: be engaging!

[@kiister8126]

1:16 It got so serious that in this moment Neil had to be the comic relief haha

[@Emoralis]

I had a couple teachers on the edge of retirement. They resented their job and their students. Both taught science. Kind of a shame because I didn’t find an interest in science until later in life.

[@fmtpulmanns7593]

So, so , so much underrated comment

[@fmtpulmanns7593]

How do I, as a father of young children (4&7), get them interested and engaged with science.

[@suthius85]

Love it when a guest has a sense of humor and laughs along with Chuck's antics

[@timmslip2000]

I feel like she was fake laughing the whole time. Her laughs seemed too exaggerated and would stop laughing too quickly on command. Still, she looks like a great personality.

[@english5895]

@Suthius, I totally agree! She should be on the show more often. They would make a great trio!

[@jeffgantz4385]

Saw this on a shirt at Metoer Crater AZ “I don’t trust Atoms, they make up everything!”

[@onigvd77]

Dr Kate is great, hope she comes on another StarTalk in the future. There really are a great bunch of guests on this show and its so enjoyable to see them be so enthusiastic in their field and inspiring to others as they talk to us here. Keep up the great content :)

[@bobil4o]

"Some of my best friends are made of chemicals" Neil is so funny too

[@scy1038]

I'm happy others caught that 😂

[@Dandontlie]

Oh my god what's that mean??? Oh noo please someone tell meee 😢

[@slickmashable]

@Quartles he means some of his friends are made of chemical molecules and others are made of anti matter

[@rabidmonkey32]

Kate is a damn gem, and seems like a sensational educator. Hope to see more of her!

[@diegonajera]

There’s nothing like listening to someone who really enjoys what they do for a whole hour and make it feel like 5 mins.

[@longlostkryptonian5797]

The best chemistry was between the 3 of them. Excellent show!

[@Corn0nTheCobb]

I see what you did there

[@fredrikjohansson]

Was listening to the podcast when I heard that they took up MY question as the final one this episode, and my battery on my phone died. Thanks for the answer, hope they continue that research!

[@caseylorencz6169]

Nice!

[@lizl6304]

@@caseylorencz6169 Nice or was it Chuck? LOL

[@patbat613]

Chuck ALWAYS comes thru with that one zinger that's shuts everything down from laughter🤣🤣 good job Lord Chuck! And Dr Kate you were a blast too!! Dr Tyson thank you for being so accessible and creating this platform 👍🏿❤

[@Chris-vr8cd]

chuck is so damn funny I would love to see him gain more success as a comic

[@ddpwe5269]

Man, I wish I had Kate's enthusiasm, for anything. To be that excited about your career is just amazing!

[@quackles3d]

Kate is awesome! So positive and funny, hope you bring her back for another ep!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

What a great guest professor Kate is! Beaming with positivity. Please do have her back.

[@elnrik8655]

Kate is super fun! MORE KATE! Thanks

[@SkillingsVideo]

The three of you should have a reunion episode. This was lovely! :)

[@user-bh6iw7sq6p]

I petition that Professor Kate be a regular on Startalk!! 🤩 I've personally never been too fond of Chemistry, but this is 110% my current favorite Cosmic Queries! So interesting and enlightening! Loved every moment! Hope to see Dr. Kate back!! 🙏

[@classyswag0503]

I regularly listen "intellectual" podcasts, and I have a great admiration and respect for Neil and his guests. But Chuck makes this podcast. If StarTalk is a delicious warm piece of toast, Chuck is the thick cold spread of butter on top. The butter might not be necessary, but my god is it tasty.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I think you just called Chuck empty calories haha jk

[@bobbydeuce6486]

@HuskyOps that would imply comedy and laughter was better for us than knowledge and understanding, which would be interesting to ponder.

[@winstonwright3613]

I had the GREATEST chem teacher ever in high school. I went from not knowing or liking Chemistry, to taking it for three years, taking AP Chem, and passing the AP Test. So grateful to all the GOOD teachers I had!

[@jfreshh330]

I love Kate her laugh is so contagious. Also love how the chapters are all the questions. Pls keep doing this

[@WestExplainsBest]

It's amazing how much one bad teacher can shape your interest in a topic.

[@jeffs6090]

"I'll be coming back to you about your periodic table, intermittently." Neil, I think you meant periodically there.

[@thanos879]

@chaos Insergent opportunity

[@darkscienceyt]

For the love of Heisenberg, do more chemistry videos!

[@ScienceCommunicator2001]

I feel your pain!😥

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Dr. Tyson and Lord Nice, you have to have this totally amazing young lady back. I have never had this much fun learning chemistry. Also, I thought you were talking about me when you mentioned the event clearing the lab until you said high school. In college chemistry lab during the identification of anion and cation reactions I failed to see the "Do Not Mix" in one of the combinations listed. Needless to say, you can empty a lab with a small cloud of hydrogen bromide gas. Thank you gentlemen and Dr. Biberdorf for a wonderful evening.

[@getz19]

This episode has a lot of chemistry going on with Neil, Chuck and Kate the Chemist. I had a lot of good laughs and learned a lot from this episode. I hope she comes back for more chemistry topics.

[@2xbaba]

Please do more vids with chemists. Chemistry is extremely interresting!!!!!

[@ninachand2075]

Getting the books by Kate ASAP! My 11 year old girl and 5 year old boy are really into the periodic table, finally something geared towards kids on a topic that we sometimes asssume is too above their heads! Love this show, keeps me sane as a SAHM! Love from Canada!

[@JimNicholls]

Kate should have a KZbin channel. It would be a hit for sure.

[@NielvanSteenderen]

I really enjoyed this episode even more than usual! Keep up the wonderful work.

[@801leggy]

I can totally sympathize with Chuck. I was very excited to take chemistry in high school. The chemistry teacher was monotone, drab, and aloof. In addition, he was the ski coach, so he took Wednesdays off every week to go to Mt Rose. I was so disappointed, that I dropped chemistry in the spring semester and never took it again. Thank goodness for KZbin teaching me more than he ever would or could.

[@SsjRedneck]

Amazing episode please make Kate a regular guest on the show

[@nyikovanessa1388]

My favourite episode yet, I love Chemistry and Dr Kate is Delightful.

[@KiingDa3rd]

I love Kate's energy! Im lost for words. Great content. Thank God for Chuck. He's the best co-host (no offense to others)

[@mordrin13]

Great chemistry episode! More episodes like that! And next time we must hear more about chemistry methods used on astrophysics and how they work. Keep doing a good job!

[@stonycreekpicker1385]

Great tangent to go off on! Love the chemistry between you and Chuck. I'll be looking forward to seeing Dr. Kate again!

[@jenstorp8086]

Finally a cosmic queries about chemistry. I love it!

[@Andrew-zq3ip]

Sometimes I feel like Neil just woke Chuck up from a nap to do the show

[@3012davido]

what a great guest, loved the show and learned a lot. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@lkass1107]

I had EXACTLY the same experience as Chuck did in chemistry. My teacher was very impatient and refused to answer questions. I didn't understand the why of a lot of things about chemistry and pretty often my question was "Why?". It would make her so angry, like she thought I was just trying to be difficult when I was really just trying to understand. Her biggest project of the year was to make everybody so their own themed moles for mol. To this day I have no idea what mol actually means. It was the dumbest project because she couldn't explain any of it to us and no one took anything away from it. She was like 4'5 tall and one of the meanest teachers I ever had. I really love science. I excelled in a lot of areas in science and I would even academically get recognized on state testing for it but chemistry just ruined my whole experience in high school with it.

[@ICU2HI]

Do not give up. Use that to make you stronger.

[@carultch]

Think of a mole (also spelled mol) as a concept just like a dozen. It is nothing more than a counting unit for counting in bulk. It is often informally called "the chemist's dozen", precisely for this reason. The mole is defined so that we can keep track of molecular "populations" at the human scale. A single water molecule has a mass of 18 atomic mass units, which most people wouldn't intuitively understand right away, since an atomic mass unit is so inconceivably small. Now, scale it up to 1 mole of water molecules, and that's 18 grams of water. That's an amount of water, you can see with your own eyes, since it is about a tablespoon and half a teaspoon of water. Add another mole of water to your beaker, and you now have 36 grams of water. A typical water bottle would be 26 moles of water. It's important to think in terms of molecular populations for chemistry, because our chemical equations tell us the number of molecules of substance X, must react with substance Y, in order for the reaction to work. Chemical equations don't directly tell us grams or milliliters of the substances that we can measure. Instead, the equations tell us populations of molecules. Suppose we need 2 molecules of substance X, and 3 molecules of substance Y. To determine the correct ratio of ingredients, you would translate 2 moles of X to grams of X, and 3 moles of Y to grams of Y. You would then have the ratio of grams of X to grams of Y, that you need, in order to make the reaction work. You can also predict how many moles (and correspondingly grams) of product Z, you will produce. This is called stoichiometry, the topic in chemistry about relating measurable amounts of substances in grams or liters or other units, to molecular population ratios to predict what is needed for reactions to work.

[@hollaatroy]

This is literally one of the most satisfying things I've seen. We need more "satisfaction" in our lives.

[@chrishiguera]

I really enjoyed this episode, thanks for enlightening our minds and spirits!

[@justice5408]

i love watching this show. the mixture of neil and chuck is great. neil is obviously incredibly intelligent as well as fluid to discover things he doesn’t know, and chuck is hilarious and i genuinely believe he loves that his job is to learn science all day. thank you!!

[@Rayzersword]

The love the periodic table as well! The fact that it's important to so many fields is a testament to the fact that it is one of the greatest achievements in the history of science.

[@AilisonCarvalho]

14:38 Chuck should start a side channel where he explains science. Neil and Kate both can translate to popular language really well, but Chuck is on the GOD mode of doing that.

[@sicfxmusic]

Neil can be a guest on #ChuckExplains 😎

[@fwd79]

Elegant Kate and wonderful combo of Neil and Chuck as always. Loved *_loved_* the discussion. Thanks for this, StarTalk. 👍

[@bhawnatanwar4834]

loved this episode so much! Dr Kate was amazing I hope she comes back

[@Shannonelizabethmiley]

Many years ago I began to study as an environmental chemist. Life took me away from that and to this day I regret not having followed through. This beautiful and enthusiastic chemist brings up personal regret but hopefully her joy in her field will bring young girls into the chemical sciences. Best wishes to all the young scientists to come.

[@shakthivarman5484]

May I know what career you ended up with? I am a biochemist and sometimes I feel this way about arts.

[@scy1038]

A friend of mine (who teaches social studies and science to elementary schoolers told me about this woman's KZbin channel a couple years ago bc she would show her videos in class. I had never seen her content myself though until this interview, but I see now why she is so popular. You can see her enthusiasm pour out as she discusses science and life with Neil and Chuck.

[@jimcecil4558]

I enjoy these. I listen to them while at work. I would really enjoy more Chemistry based ones

[@calapsesathir4408]

Great questions and answers ! Ty soooo much Dr.Tyson and the great Chuck

[@Misteribel]

You guys are fantastic & hilarious! You should invite Kate over more often, she’s so knowledgeable and full of fun, it’s impossible *not* to listen to her!

[@werebaneceo]

This was a most excellent episode, such great chemistry

[@cedriclapointe5869]

I love chemistry. Nearly as much as physics. All my science teachers were great so I'm gratefull I had the chance to have them. Coming back into "in shool learning" made it SOOOO much better!! We can now do laboratorys !!! WOOOHOOOO!!!

[@toby9999]

I loved physics. Included physics in my University studies but all I can remember about high school chemistry is being threatened with a caning if we didn't memorise the periodic table.

[@darrell3643]

Loved this episode! Kate, you have so much positive energy!

[@theduder2617]

She said anyone with a question is technically a scientist. But I must differ. It is not the question which makes someone a scientist. It is the way they go about seeking the answer which renders one a scientist.

[@vincewilson1]

I just purchased kate's book via an audible credit also liked the video. I subscribed a long time ago. Due to the processes of cause and effect, Niel and a few other physicists and so forth have caused an electrochemical reaction in the Homosapien's brain known as myself that caused me to decide to become an astrophysicist! Let's see Kate explain that one! 😁

[@inhha]

Information and entertainment values are in fantastic balance here, this is the loveliest SiderealBanter in a while. A sequel ASAP 😘

[@MattIsntYoung]

I felt bad being critical of StarTalk recently, so I'm glad this episode was AWESOME. From start to finish 👌 Miss Kate, this CANNOT be your last visit! Watch that 100k go off!! Lord Chuck giving top tier commentary, and Neil throwing in so much relevance and relation to astrophysics! Like she emoted, CHEF'S. KISS. 👌

[@TheSaxRunner05]

Thumbnail said Up and Atom, immediately made me think of the KZbinr, shout-outs to her!

[@csb78nm]

An absolute treat with Dr. Kate. Laughter is the best medicine and creates good chemistry.

[@glenboid]

Loved Kate! If only I’d had a chemistry teacher so enthusiastic when I was a kid! Chemistry and physics are my regrets education wise!

[@marty9019]

They feel like a family. J like you're on call with them and you learn SO much! Absolutely love this series!

[@northwestbaby962]

Kate seems like she'd be a great chemistry teacher. It's sad not all make it fun like she does. I will definitely have to check out her books. Hopefully you'll have her back for more episodes in the future.

[@derekrucker377]

"Don't call it a comeback" was a great ref from Chuck

[@reynoldsmathey]

Please check out Periodic Videos, featuring Sir Martyn Poliakoff, research professor of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. He is the Neil DeGrasse Tyson of Chemistry. He and Brady Haran have done a wonderful job of popularizing chemistry. And, of course, Kate is wonderful.

[@daudidaudi]

I love that channel.

[@jadedmonroe8526]

This was the best video! The three of you together was so much love!!

[@scottg6754]

Kate is awesome. I learned more about chemistry than I ever knew.

[@cosmicsciencewitholiver7328]

This was a great watch. Love Kate, and the way Neil and Chuck interact with their guests 🤗🌌🚀🪐🛸🪩

[@Michigntiger08]

I love how much she laughs at Chuck's jokes. But also gotta give Chuck credit, he was on his A game in this one

[@knightwing4]

I liked her. I liked how excited she gets about her field. I hope you have her back again.

[@FarWesT3188]

Dr. Kate Biberdorf has such a wonderfully bright personality, makes me wish I had her as a chemistry teacher when I was a wee-lad.

[@stuartgibbel]

Great video. learned a lot. Please have Dr. Kate back.

[@jackiepaper6464]

Kate is amazing. Please bring her back. Wonderful!

[@stephenherring9771]

Great! Wonderful show.

[@lbacker90]

I just bought book #1 by "Kate the Chemist" for my 7-year-old granddaughter. Thank you, Dr. Biberdorf!

[@tyronejoihnson7046]

Dr. Tyson putting down Chuck and trying to make time with Dr. Biberdorf.

[@joseimpact]

kate is awesome. awesome guests per usual 🤟

[@creightonfreeman8059]

The FM radio thing made me realize if Neil ever gets tired of being a science communicator he has a great voice for being a DJ.

[@RareScar]

This was an amazing episode!

[@faluchi7286]

I dont do much commenting on here but I just wanna say you are the gangster of the astrophysics world.......you make it interesting and easy to understand

[@fizzy1922]

I love chemistry please have this guest back for more

[@supanovaninja]

I love Dr. Kate. I wish she'd taught me Chemistry.

[@chinesefantasy]

I wish someone would ask about all the supercomputers and quantumcomputers which are currently calculating new molecules and how their results are in the chemist world. I only know they exist but haven't really dug into whether they're useful or not.

[@mohammadmazharulislam2459]

Such a contagious smile :D And lovely episode once again. (y)

[@coastlife1790]

Thanks for the candor Chuck. It can’t all be laughs.

[@supaslime2938]

I can watch episodes like this all day to be honest.

[@robbieward7026]

You just described every Math and English teacher I was burdened with. Be grateful he wasn't supposed to teach you anything you "needed" to know.

[@Spilorify]

You gotta love this woman! Her excitement for not just her own field, but science in general, her knowledge and humor❤️❤️ And it doesn’t make any easier not to love her that she’s just soooo beautiful and cute too!❤️❤️

[@lizl6304]

Chuck's discussion of his high school chemistry teacher reminded me of my high school chemistry teacher who pronounced both molarity and molality as "molarity." When she was discussing something one day about molarity that I thought was really molality, I asked "Are you talking about molarity or molality" and her answer was "Yes." LOL

[@dridleyroberts]

Love Chuck!! “If I messed up your name, change it!” 😂😂 But seriously, he so bright, quick and funny and makes each episode fly by!

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Brilliant episode!!

[@bozodeniro]

This is one of your more important and practical segments. A lot of graduates in other science majors could use the lessons introduced and cited here, especially those related to geology.

[@76irodriguez]

Kate looks like she is a lot of fun as a person. I love her. You need to bring her back more often.

[@SO3rl]

Great guest! I watched the whole episode

[@elmerortiz9327]

Omg. So funny so entertaining and so very educational. Love it. The three of you made my day. PS got to love me some cake to chemist first time I hear her first but not the last.

[@joesmith9139]

Could you please make an episode on climate change and chemistry? Focusing on solutions (as in solving a problem 😉) that could help us get out of the hole we dug for ourselves? 🙏

[@wishthebot3750]

Loved this one laughed so hard

[@feedmyadcplease7841]

chuck was absolutely killing in this one !

[@JimPirkle]

More chemistry and more Dr Biberdorf, please

[@commonsense320]

Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime my little brothers used to watch, holds a special place in my heart

[@yvescote2808]

👏👏👏❤❤❤❤❤❤VERY Good video! More of this with her!