“Everything's a sample”: Characterizing everyday materials using x-ray powder diffraction

We can learn something scientifically interesting about literally everything around us by examining it in a powder diffractometer. Comparing a macroscopic understanding of a material with the atomic-scale description proves to be a good way of generating excitement about our science among young people and the general public. I tell stories (case studies) about what can be learned by examining several classes of everyday materials: rocks (including slate and other flooring), water solids, rust and crud (including snow dirt), food (sugar, chocolate sandwich cookies, and peanut butter), medications (pain relief, decongestant, and pharmaceuticals), wood, and polymers.