Chemistry for Breakfast

Spend a day inside the curious mind of a chemist as she reveals the fascinating science behind everyday things, like breakfast and trips to the dentist, and not-so-everyday things, like space travel and baby dinosaurs. In Chemistry for Breakfast, Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim uses the same relatable style that makes her a popular YouTuber to explain essential scientific concepts. Over the course of a single day, Mai shows us that amazing science happens everywhere--we just have to know to look for it. In the morning, her alarm prompts a deep dive into biological clocks and fight-or-flight responses, followed by a coffee with a side of heat conduction and states of matter. Mai continues her day with explainers of cell phone technology, food preservation, body odor, and the effects of alcohol. Throughout, she explains why there are no easy answers in chemistry, and shares the challenges of communicating science to the public. She concludes by summarizing her mission--to give readers everywhere an appreciation of facts and a basic understanding of the science of everyday life.