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...

Transition metals are the largest group in the periodic table. Find out what similarities they share, and how we make use of these metals. Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. Transition metals are found as a block in the middle...

We look at how different materials change when they are exposed to liquid nitrogen. Flowers become frozen and stiff and the petals snap. A banana hardens and is strong enough to be used as a hammer and a squash ball becomes very brittle...

We use two magnets and a set of scales to examine magnetic field and strength. One magnet is attached to the scales and a second is lowered towards it. When opposite poles are facing each other, the weight on the scales decreases as the...

We investigate the properties of two types of gas bubbles: methane gas bubbles and bubbles of the gas we breathe out. The air-filled bubbles sink and we are unable to set them alight, while the methane bubbles float upwards and are...

We create a polymer using cornflour and water called oobleck. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian liquid that behaves like a solid and a liquid. When placed on a speaker, the vibrations cause the polymer to constantly change its behaviour and it...

We examine the different properties of iron and sulfur when they are mixed and when they are chemically combined. When iron and sulfur are mixed they retain their individual properties. When they react chemically to form iron sulfide...

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...

Plastics are all made in a similar way, but can be manipulated to have very different functions. Discover how their properties are determined. Chemistry - Chemical Industries - Learning Points. Plastics are synthetic materials called...

We create a simple electromagnet by coiling wire around a nail and passing current through it. The magnetic field around the electromagnet creates similar patterns in iron fillings to a permanent magnet. Physics - Electricity And...

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....

Salt is routinely used to melt snow and ice on winter roads. But what is happening at the molecular level to cause this helpful change of state? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. When salt is added to water it lowers the...

Introducing the liquids whose behaviours seem to defy the accepted states of matter. What are they and why don't they behave as we predict? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Newtonian liquids take the shape of their...

What is it? ... It's a hot spring geyser!
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Material processes - Solids, liquids and gases - Characteri
s

tics of water


A Twig Tidbit Film - Big Reveal. The image zooms out from an extreme close-up to...

What is it? ... It's the mineral turquoise!
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Material processes - Classifying materi
a

ls - Minerals


A Twig Tidbit Film - Big Reveal. The image zooms out from an extreme close-up to full frame. The...

What is it? ... These are rubber boots!
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Propertie
s

of materials


A Twig Tidbit Film - Big Reveal. The image zooms out from an extreme close-up to full...

Discover how surfboards are made and why they are buoyant.
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Propertie
s

of materials


A Twig Tidbit Film - Clip. A short film that extends the learning...

What's that noise? ... It's a cement mixer!
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Propertie
s

of materials


A Twig Tidbit Film - What’s that noise? The children have
to identify an object...

Discover how lightning rods protect buildings when they are struck and why they are made of metal.
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Choosing suit
a

ble materials


A Twig Tidbit Film -...

See how the density of an object is calculated and why some materials are buoyant.
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Propertie
s

of materials />

Learning Points
Density i
s

the...

True or false ... Drinking a glass of seawater will make you ill?
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Material processes - Solids, liquids and gases - Characteri
s

tics of water />

Learning Points
Drinki
n

g sea water can cause...

Four objects are shown on screen, but which one does not float?
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Propertie
s

of materials />

Learning Points
Buoyan
c

y is a property of some...

Six different objects are shown on screen ... can you spot the permeable materials?
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Material processes - Classifying materials - Choosing suit
a

ble materials />

Learning Points
Permeabili
t

y...

We use glass every day, but how is is made?
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Material processes - Changing materials - More chem
i

cal reactions />

Learning Points
An endoth
e

rmic reaction absorbs heat energy.
...