In this video Paul Andersen explains how redox reactions are driven by the movement of electrons from the substance that is oxidized to the substance that is reduced. Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gaining of...

In this video Paul Andersen describes the characteristics of the rate constant in chemical reactions. The rate constant is highly variable in reactions and must be determined experimentally. The rate constant is dependent on both...

In this video Paul Andersen explains how energy can enter and leave a system. The amount of energy a substance can receive through heating or lose through cooling is measured using the specific heat capacity. Phase changing energy from...

In this video Paul Andersen explains that elementary reactions are steps within a larger reaction mechanism. Colliding molecules require sufficient energy and proper orientation to break bonds and form new bonds. A unimolecular...

In this video Paul Andersen explains how the activation energy is a measure of the amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. Due to the collision theory the activation energy requires proper energy and orientation of...

Mr. Andersen contrasts nuclear reactions to chemical reactions. He explains the four main forces of nature; including gravity, electromagnetism, strong, and weak nuclear forces. He also explains how fusion differs from fission.

We’ve talked about benzene a bit already in this series, but did you know that benzene rings are present in all kinds of familiar substances? The styrofoam packaging that comes with new appliances, some pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and...

In this video Paul Andersen describes the history of calorimetry and explains how it can be used to measure energy changes in a system. The specific heat of water is well established and so as a system releases or absorbs energy from a...

Mercury thermometers are handy and useful, but they could be extremely dangerous to bring on planes.

Have you ever wondered where cured meats like salami or pepperoni get their bright red color? Of course its from organic chemistry! A chemical called nitric acid gives them that bright color, while also increasing their shelf. It's also...

From fire to food, check out these life-altering reactions that surround us everyday.

Chemicals are in everything we see, and the reactions between them can look like anything from rust on a spoon to an explosion on your stovetop. But why do these reactions happen in the first place? Kareem Jarrah answers this question by...

Ketones and aldehydes are all around and inside us, from the strong smelling component of nail polish remover, acetone, to hormones in our bodies, to drug treatments for allergies, COVID-19, and even cancer! We’ve already learned a bit...

Paul Andersen explains how catalysts can speed up a reaction without being consumed in the reaction. Catalysts can lower the activation energy of reaction be stabilizing the transition state. They can also create new reaction pathways...

The Amoeba Sisters explain enzymes and how they interact with their substrates. Vocabulary covered includes active site, induced fit, coenzyme, and cofactor. Also the importance of ideal pH and temperatures for enzymes are discussed.

In this video Paul Andersen explains how equilibrium is achieved in a reversible reaction. When the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction the system is at equilibrium. Graphical analysis of...

In this video Paul Andersen defines the equilibrium constant (K) and explains how it can be calculated in various reversible reactions. The equilibrium constant is a ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the...

In this video Paul Andersen defines the rate of a reaction as the number of reactants that are consumed during a given period of time. The rate of the reaction can be affected by the type of reaction as well as the concentration,...

In this video Paul Andersen explains how the enthalpy of a reaction can be released in an exothermic or consumed in an endothermic reaction. According to Hess's law if the reaction is reversed the sign of the enthalpy of reaction is...

Paul Andersen explains how the rate law can be used to determined the speed of a reaction over time. Zeroth-order, first-order and second-order reactions are described as well as the overall rate law of a reaction. The rate of a...

When you burn fat, where does it go? Many people, even some doctors, think it's just "burned up." But that's not possible! Find out where your fat really goes!

In this video Paul Andersen explains how electrochemical reactions can separate the reduction and oxidation portions of a redox reactions to generate (or consume) electricity. The half reactions can be analyzed to determine the...

When you think of allergies, the first thing that comes to mind is probably seasonal allergies, but there are a handful of strange allergies can be much harder to avoid than pollens.

In this video Paul Andersen explains how stoichiometry can be used to quantify differences in chemical reactions. The coefficients in a balanced chemical equation express the mole proportions in that reaction. These values can be used...