The Chemistry of Smells: Exploring Odors from Books to Rain

📚Paper in books releases organic compounds that react to light, heat, and moisture, creating a musty, vanilla-like smell.

🌧️Rain smells fresh and earthy because of organic compounds released by plants and soil bacteria.

⛽Gasoline contains benzene, which triggers the release of dopamine in our brains, creating a positive association with the smell.

🚗New cars emit volatile organic compounds that contribute to the new car smell, but excessive exposure to these compounds can be harmful.

🌿Grass emits green leaf volatiles when it's cut, which act as a signal to attract organisms that prey on grass-munching insects.

Why do old books have a musty smell?

—Old books have a musty smell because the organic compounds in the paper react to light, heat, and moisture, causing them to break down and release volatile organic compounds.

Why does rain smell fresh?

—Rain smells fresh because it carries organic compounds released by plants and soil bacteria. These compounds evaporate into the air, creating a pleasant scent.

What gives gasoline its smell?

—Gasoline contains benzene, a volatile organic compound that gives it a distinctive smell. Benzene triggers the release of dopamine in our brains, creating a positive association with the smell.

Why do new cars have a distinct smell?

—New cars emit volatile organic compounds, which contribute to the new car smell. However, excessive exposure to these compounds can be harmful.

Why does freshly cut grass smell different?

—Freshly cut grass smells different because it releases green leaf volatiles, which act as a signal to attract organisms that prey on grass-munching insects.

00:22Books smell satisfying due to organic compounds in the paper that react to light, heat, and moisture.

02:21Rain smells fresh because of organic compounds released by plants and soil bacteria.

04:28Gasoline contains benzene, which triggers the release of dopamine in our brains, creating a positive association with the smell.

06:17New cars emit volatile organic compounds that contribute to the new car smell.

09:14Grass emits green leaf volatiles when it's cut, which act as a signal to attract organisms that prey on grass-munching insects.