Periodic Videos
Protactinium
It's rare, toxic, radioactive, and we have yet to find a use for it ... it's protactinium! Learn the about protactinium's predicted existence, discovery, and properties from a knowledgeable professor. As part of a series of 118...
Periodic Videos
Thorium
Is thorium the key to future nuclear power plants? This concept and more become the focus of video 90 in the 118-part series on chemical elements. The professor shares the properties of thorium as well as the future possibilities of a...
Periodic Videos
Actinium
Can an element more than 150 times more radioactive than radium be used to cure cancer? A professor shares actinium's properties, applications, and a bit about its discovery a thought-provoking video. This is the 89th installment of a...
Periodic Videos
Radium
The human body deposits radium in the bones, teeth, and marrow, just as it deposits calcium. Learn more about a radioactive element in episode 88 of 118 on chemical elements. The narrator shares the discovery, properties, and...
Periodic Videos
Francium
After many false discovery reports from other scientists, Marguerite Perey first discovered francium in 1939. Learn about how she discovered it and the interesting story behind this famous scientist and her mentors. The video is the 87th...
Periodic Videos
Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that exists in most areas of the world. Learn more about the history and competition surrounding the interesting gas. The professor shares the properties and original letters...
Periodic Videos
Astatine
Less than two grams of astatine have ever been produced, making it one of the most rare elements on the periodic table. Young scientists discover aspects of the interesting element that most textbooks don't discuss. They learn about its...
Periodic Videos
Bismuth
Did you know you can find bismuth in pharmaceuticals, paints, and as a replacement for lead? Young scientists observe bismuth in multiple forms as they learn about its properties. Three chemists share their knowledge from different...
Periodic Videos
Thallium
Thallium, once known as inheritance powder, plays a role in many historic murders. Learn more about a mysterious element as the chemistry professor shares his knowledge. He mentions a few properties and historical facts to encourage...
Periodic Videos
Mercury
For many years, mercury was used in thermometers, dental fillings, and fluorescent lights. As scientists better understand the toxicity of this liquid metal, other materials replace these uses for mercury. Young scientists learn about...
Periodic Videos
Platinum
During WWII, non-military use of platinum was banned in the US as it was deemed a strategic metal. As part of a 118-installment series on each of the elements in the periodic table, video 78 discusses platinum in depth. It covers the...
Periodic Videos
Iridium
Evidence of a giant meteorite hitting the earth just before the dinosaur extinction came from a layer of iridium. Viewers learn about iridium's rarity, properties, applications, and how scientists named it. As part of a larger 118-part...
Periodic Videos
Rhenium
Rhenium's name comes from the Rhine river in Germany. Viewers learn this fact and others as they watch episode 75 in the 118-part series on each of the chemical elements. It discusses the element's properties, applications, salts, and more.
Periodic Videos
Tungsten
Tungsten's original claim to fame was use in light bulbs. Now, tungsten finds applications in military technology, electrical wiring, and it is even bought and sold as a commodity. Learn more about the properties of tungsten and the...
Periodic Videos
Hafnium
If you combine two hafniums, do you get a wholenium? Hafnium finds itself useful in nuclear submarines and plasma welding torches. While watching the 118-part series on each element in the periodic table, scholars learn more about...
Periodic Videos
Polonium
Polonium is the first element Marie Curie ever discovered. Best known for atomic weapons and international murders, polonium's short half-life often creates problems. Viewers learn about the properties, applications, and debates...
Periodic Videos
Lead
Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese documented the poisonous properties, yet the production of lead increases every year. Young scientists learn about this dangerous element in episode 82 of a 118-part series. It shares lead's...
Periodic Videos
Gold and Casio Watch
A piece of gold walks into a classroom and the teacher says, "Au, get out." Observe the process of gold plating a cheap watch to better understand the properties of gold. Throughout the experiment, the professor shares the history, uses,...
Periodic Videos
Osmium
The densest naturally occurring element is osmium. The professor shares his knowledge of the 76th element as part of the ongoing series about every element in the periodic table. Viewers learn about the properties, dangers, and uses for...
Periodic Videos
Tantalum
Most mobile phones use tantalum in their processors. Scholars learn about tantalum as they view episode 73 in the 118-part series on each of the elements in the periodic table. It shares the properties of tantalum and one common...
Periodic Videos
Lutetium
Did you know the element lutetium is named after Paris, France? Learn about this interesting connection and more as you watch video 71 in a 118-part series. Each video discusses one element in the periodic table and the associated...
TED-Ed
A Simple Way to Tell Insects Apart
Did you know an insect has unique mouthparts based on what and how it eats? This is a simple way to identify the order an insect belongs to. Watch a video that explains the interesting world of insect mouthparts.
Periodic Videos
Ytterbium
Research on ytterbium started in 1787, yet a pure sample wasn't obtained until 1953. As part of a series of videos on the elements of the periodic table, element 70, ytterbium, stars in this one. Viewers see the quarry where it was...
Periodic Videos
Thulium
Charles James tried 15,000 times to recrystallize thulium before he was able to isolate it. Learn more about this uncommon and expensive element in a feature episode from a longer series on chemical elements. A chemistry professor...