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Is gluten good for you, or is gluten bad for you? This video breaks down the chemistry and science behind this controversial food ingredient. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Are you breathing air molecules that were once exhaled by Caesar, Joan of Arc, or Madame Curie? Why did Albert Einstein try to break into the refrigerator business? In this video, writer Sam Kean, author of science books "Caesar’s Last…

This animation shows how a barometer measures atmospheric pressure.

Some ice burns because it’s actually methane trapped in water. This video discusses the chemistry of methane hydrates as a source of energy and a climate change threat. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Who doesn’t love potatoes? This video offers tips for roasting delicious potatoes and along the way describes the chemistry behind achieving their best texture and consistency. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

When temperatures fall along with snow, you know you're in the middle of winter. This video has seasonal advice on keeping your windshield fog-free, getting unstuck from the snow, and even how to make your own hand warmer. [Credit:…

This video examines the science behind the most misunderstood spice in the world: allspice. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society (www.youtube.com/acsreactions)]

This video explores well-known antics in three cartoons and asks the question: Does the chemistry check out? Find out whether slipping on a banana peel, gaining superhuman strength from eating spinach, and dissolving a Toon in solvent, are…

Pepper is one of the most common condiments in the world today, but it used to be more valuable than gold. This video examines how pepper's delectable chemistry made it a key player in the global spice trade. [Credit: Reactions/American…

This video explores the chemistry of, and pain response to, pepper spray. Watch for some important tips on what to do if you accidentally spray yourself with this debilitating substance. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video tracks the formation of snowflakes from their origins in bits of dust in clouds that become droplets of water falling to Earth. As each snowflake rises and falls through warmer and cooler air, it develops its own distinctive shape.…

Forget ketchup and mustard—sriracha might be the world's new favorite condiment. Beloved by millions for its unique spicy, garlicky, slightly sweet flavor, the chemistry of "rooster sauce" is the focus of this video. [Credit:…

White, green, oolong, and black teas all come from the same plant, but they are vastly different in flavor and color. This video explores the chemistry that happens in the tea leaves during production. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical…

This video explores how experts use fertilizer and other materials—including water—to fight forest fires. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video takes science to the skies and checks out the chemistry behind chemtrails, or—more accurately—contrails. It’s easy to look at the white trail behind a jet aircraft and imagine all manner of chemicals raining down from above.…

It’s one of the most popular beverages in the world, and many of us rely on it to stay awake every day. But not every cup of coffee is created equal. From the bean to the brew, science can help you get the perfect cup. This video goes on a…

This animation explains continental drift and shows how continents on moving tectonic plates drift slowly across the Earth's surface.

On December 16, 1773, American colonists, frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing "taxation without representation," dumped more than 340 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor in Massachusettes. Dubbed "the Boston Tea Party," this…

This video explores the chemistry behind whether using cannabidiol (CBD)—a non-psychoactive compound produced by the marijuana plant—could make you fail a drug test. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Cows belch up plenty of methane, thanks to the chemistry of their digestion. Because methane is a greenhouse gas, our beef and dairy cattle have huge consequences on climate change. This video covers the gassy science of cow guts. Credit:…

Yes, you read that correctly. Comets may have helped seed life on Earth. Far out, right? Sarah Everts of C&EN has the chemical clues that back up this out-of-this-world hypothesis. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Dockage is any foreign material, such as weed seeds, stems, chaff, or straw, mixed in with a grain. Dockage testing provides a measure of grain quality. This video shows how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal Grain Inspection…

This animation shows how currents of molten iron in the Earth's outer core generate the planet's magnetic field.

This animation shows how earthquakes radiate from focus points on fault lines.

This animation shows how the El Niño weather pattern arises from changes in atmospheric and oceanic flows.

This animation shows how volcanic islands form over hot spots arising from deep within Earth's mantle.

Some people enjoy eating meat, while others are vegetarian. The consumption of beef is growing, but cattle are significant contributors to greenhouse gases. What could possibly replace meat in the future? The artificial replacement could be…

Most scientists say genetically modified foods are safe to consume, but critics are fiercely opposed to GMOs. The U.S. has several federal agencies that regulate GMOs. Where do those agencies stand? In the era of CRISPR gene-editing…

In agriculture, grain grading is a mechanical process that sorts grain products, such as wheat or soybeans, by size and shape. This video demonstrates the use of sieving, or screening, techniques in grain grading. Credit: U.S. Department…

Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, are a major agricultural problem because their presence in grains can be lethal to humans and other animals. This video explores methods for testing grains to ensure their safe consumption. Credit: U.S.…

Did you know that the ocean launches bacteria into the atmosphere? And that those bacteria can seed clouds and help make rain? Atmospheric chemist Kimberly Prather of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography drops some serious atmospheric…

A large snowstorm could produce trillions of tiny snowflakes. Through advances in crystallography, scientists have learned much about the structure of this form of precipitation. Although snowflakes all start out similarly, once they begin…

This video explains the chemistry and science behind how we know how old the Earth is. Geologists have deduced the age of the Earth thanks to a handful of radioactive elements. With radiometric dating, scientists can put an age on really old…

Vegetables are full of essential vitamins and minerals, but how should you eat them to get the most nutritious value? Raw? Sauteed? Frozen? The answer is, it depends. Let this video help you navigate the ins and outs of cooking vegetables.…

Winter weather often brings treacherous driving conditions. Road crews may spread rock salt all over the highways and byways, but why? This video breaks down the chemistry that keeps the roads safe when severe winter weather hits. [Credit:…

This video explores the chemistry behind how clouds develop and how they stay aloft in the sky, despite their tremendous weight. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Supermarket tomatoes account for nearly 10 percent of produce sales in the U.S. So why do most store-bought tomatoes taste terrible? Is there a way to make tomatoes taste great again? This video may have the answer. Credit:…

This video explains much of what you need to know about snow and ice chemistry, such as how to get your car unstuck from ice and how artificial snow is made. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video examines some novel proposals for combating climate change—including space mirrors, seeding the ocean with iron, and feeding cows seaweed. In reality, these ideas may or may not be feasible, but they are all supported by valid…

Many people have done it, but few admit to it. This video explains why, from an environmental perspective, it is absolutely acceptable to urinate in the ocean. (Correction: At 1:50, the narration and text should read "250 gallons," not…

You may have heard that tossing rice at weddings will harm wild birds. This video explains why that myth is not backed up by science, and proves it with chemistry. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Bulk density, also known as test weight, is a physical specification describing the weight per unit volume of a granular solid material. This video demonstrates the test-weight procedure for grains as a measure of quality, because each grade…

Knowing the weight percent of water, or moisture content, in grains is important for determining grains' value and storability. This video explores the use of instruments known as moisture meters for moisture analysis of grains. Credit:…

This video describes the use of near-infrared transmittance (NIRT) technology for determining the percentage of protein, oil, or starch in grains. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture Video Library

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful analytical tool for characterizing molecular structures and performing quantitative chemical analyses. This video explains the use of NMR in an agricultural laboratory for testing and certifying…

This animation explains how periods of glaciation and deglaciation alter the balance of oxygen isotopes found in seawater.

Peanut allergies are some of the most dangerous food allergies in the human population, due to how commonly they are found in the food industry. For the past couple of decades, peanut allergies have been on the rise in the United States. This…

This animation explains how heat and pressure from Earth's interior cause tectonic plates to move.

The scent of freshly cut grass may actually be a chemical cry for help. This video explains how plants communicate, their chemical response to being damaged, and how insects play a role. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video explains how artificial snow is made to sustain the Winter Olympics. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society (www.youtube.com/acsreactions)]