How do pencils write on paper?

About this episode

This episode explores the chemistry behind how pencils write on paper, connecting it to various scientific concepts and personal anecdotes.

Why does a pencil work so perfectly? Why does graphite leave marks on paper instead of just crumbling apart? And what do pancakes, honeycombs, geckos, and intermolecular forces have to do with any of it? This week we follow a simple pencil all the way down to carbon atoms, graphene sheets, and the weirdly satisfying chemistry that makes writing possible. Plus: final exam horror stories, missed alarms, and why reading the syllabus might save your GPA.

People in this episode

Hosts: Melissa, Jam

Topics covered

• pencil chemistry
• graphite
• intermolecular forces
• writing
• final exam stories
• GPA

Keywords

• pencil
• graphite
• chemistry
• writing
• intermolecular forces
• final exams
• GPA

Mentioned in this episode

Products: pencil, graphite, pancakes, honeycombs

Books & works: syllabus

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