Cooking for Thanksgiving or other holidays releases lots of chemicals into the air. Some are good, and some not so good.

Microwaving two grapes creates a hotspot where the fruit pieces touch, sparking a plasma fireball. The trick also works with a grape and a water-soaked bead (shown).

This oil painting by Georgia O’Keefe called “Pedernal” has zits. Researchers now know why these damaging bumps form. Chemicals in the paint have reacted to form small knobs.  

Rocks may be made from a single mineral or many. But knowing the recipe of the molecules that make up a mineral tells only part of its story. One scientist wants to broaden their biographies.