Brainstuff

Schadenfreude is a German word that means taking pleasure in someone else's pain. But it's not the same as sadism, as Marshall Brain explains in this episode. Tune in to learn more about this particularly German sensation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Balloons are often filled with helium, which has a lifting force of one gram per meter. It's possible to assemble enough balloons to lift yourself from the ground -- but how many balloons does it take? Tune into this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas have very different properties, it's always important to specify which substance you will use when buying an appliance. Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks to learn how to gauge the distance of a lightning strike with a simple equation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kitchen ovens typically have two settings: bake and broil. What's the difference between the two? Explore the science behind baking and broiling in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Astronauts wear special suits while they're working in space, and these spacewalks can last for hours. In this episode, Marshall Brain explains how astronauts take care of their basic needs while wearing spacesuits. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A zebra's stripes offer protection from predators in the form of camouflage -- and a way to identify individual members within the larger group. Learn more about zebra stripes in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say that money can't buy happiness, but it can definitely contribute to your well-being. So what exactly should you spend your money on to maximize your happiness? Stuff? Experiences? Marshall Brain investigates in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vactrains may be the next big thing in the evolution of high-speed transportation. In this episode, Marshall explains how vactrain systems will work, how close they are to becoming reality and the potential they have to impact global transportation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asphalt is an extremely common, oil-derived material that's used to pave a majority of roads in the United States. Tune in to learn more about asphalt. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The flash of a camera is bright enough to cause a reflection off the human retina -- the red we see in these photos comes from the blood vessels in the eye. Learn more about red eyes and cameras in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Submarines use oxygen generators to create oxygen from water. Learn more about oxygen in submarines in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cars are hard to start during cold weather for three reasons: gasoline evaporates less in cold temperatures, oil gets thicker in the cold, and the chemical reactions in cold batteries are slower than normal. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As hair cells form in follicles, they push other cells out of the follicle. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about your hair's growth and rest phases. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adding color to black and white movies is incredibly tedious. To speed up the process, the coloring is done on a computer, using a digital version of the film. Learn more about colorization in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normal paper is made of cellulose from trees, but paper money is made from cotton and linen fibers. Learn how this makes paper money more water-resistant in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you could spin a carousel fast enough, would time stand still for the people on the carousel? Theoretically, it's a reasonable assumption. Join Marshall Brain as he breaks down the speed of light and time in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you live in a cold enough climate, you can make fake snow just like they do for ski resorts. In this episode, Marshall shares two techniques for creating artificial snow in your own backyard -- and what to do if you live in a warm climate. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the United States, wires are measured by diameter using a standard called AWG, or American Wire Gauge. Discover how the AWG system works -- and where it came from -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people store water for emergencies -- but is it true that water sitting for too long will go bad? Listen in as Marshall Brain breaks down the science of water purification in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.