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The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The range of electromagnetic radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum is huge. Where does this radiation come from and how do the frequencies and wavelengths vary? Physics - Waves - Learning Points. Electromagnetic radiation is all...
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The Race for Absolute Zero: Laser Cooling
Lasers are usually associated with heat. But scientists have instead used them to reach the coldest temperature ever recorded. Could they reach absolute zero? Physics - Energy And Radioactivity - Learning Points. Absolute zero is...
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Atom Structure: Electron Shells
Learn why electron shells are responsible for the properties of elements, and whether they are stable or have violent reactions. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. An element's reactivity is determined by the number of...
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Nanotechnology: What is It?
Still in its early stages, nanotechnology has the potential to change our world. What is it and how could it be used in the future? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Nanotechnology is engineering on the smallest scale....
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Solids, Liquids and Gases
What is the difference between solids, liquids and gases? How does each state behave? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. The kinetic theory of matter states that particles are in constant motion and there are forces of...
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Flame Colours and Fireworks
Exploring the science behind fireworks, discover how different elements are used to produce different colours of fireworks. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. In the mid-19th century the inventor if the Bunsen burner,...
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Heavy Water
Why did allied soldiers in World War Two embark on a dangerous mission to stop the Nazis using heavy water? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Atoms that have the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers...
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Alkali Metals
Witness the exciting reactions that occur when alkali metals come into contact with other substances. What does this tell us about their properties? Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. The alkali metals make up Group 1 of the...
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Water Forces
The unique force created by hydrogen bonding gives water some unique properties, which seem to defy the laws of nature. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Hydrogen bonding is a special force of attraction between water...
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Heat Transport
Conduction, convection and radiation are all ways in which heat is transported. How does each work, and what are they useful for? Physics - Energy And Radioactivity - Learning Points. The three types of heat transport are conduction,...
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Nuclear Fission: The Power and Dangers of Splitting Atoms
Find out what happens when an atom splits and why, depending on how this process is controlled, the consequences can be productive or destructive. Physics - Energy And Radioactivity - Learning Points. Nuclear fission creates energy by...
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MRI
MRI machines are now commonly used in hospitals to build amazing images of inside our bodies. Discover how magnets allow them to do this. Physics - Electricity And Circuits - Learning Points. MRI machines use magnets to take images of...
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Esters and Perfumes
Esters occur in nature and have been harnessed by the perfume industry. What are esters and how are they made and used? Chemistry - Chemical Industries - Learning Points. Esters give many fruits their scents, including bananas, lavender...
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We Are All Made of Stars
Discover how elements are formed in the centre of stars, and how some elements are formed in even more spectacular conditions. Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. Most elements were created in space. At the beginning of the...
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Carbon: Synthetic Diamonds
Diamonds take millions of years to form within the Earth's mantle, but now scientists are trying to produce them synthetically. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Diamonds take a long time to form in the Earth's mantle....
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Molecule
Two or more atoms held strongly together by covalent bonds. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig Science Glossary Films reinforce...
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Reactivity Series: Comparing the Reactivity of Group 1 and Group 2 Metals
We compare the reactivity of Group 1 and Group 2 metals. We add sodium and then potassium to water. We observe the reactions. Next we add magnesium and then calcium to hydrochloric acid and observe the reactions. The results let us put...
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Elements vs Alloys
We compare melting points of lead and tin to the melting point of their alloy, solder. By timing how long it takes samples of each to melt, we discover that the melting point of solder is actually lower than those of both lead and tin....
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Frozen Balloon
We lower a helium-filled balloon into liquid nitrogen to see how the change in temperature affects its volume. When it hits the cool liquid nitrogen, the gas inside contracts and the volume of the balloon decreases. When it is removed...
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Flame Test
We use a Bunsen burner to burn different chemical salts to see how the flame colour changes. This shows that sodium burns with a yellow flame, lithium burns with a red flame, barium burns with a yellow-green flame and copper burns with a...
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Ball and Hoop
We use a metal ball and hoop to demonstrate heat expansion. When cool, the ball fits through the hoop, but there is little extra space. The ball is then heated over a Bunsen burner. When hot, the ball doesn't fit through the hoop. We see...
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Ionic Bonding
How metals and non-metals combine to form compounds with unique and very different properties. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. An electrically charged atom is called an ion. Ionic bonds are very strong. Ions are formed...
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What is an Atom?
From our bodies to the oceans and stars, everything is made of millions upon millions of tiny atoms. But what are atoms made of? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. The building blocks of all elements are called atoms. Atoms...
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Atomic Structure
What does the Periodic Table tell us about the elements, their properties and behaviours? And why does the atomic number define each element? Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. The structure of the atom reveals why the...