Curium, discovered in 1944 in Chicago, happens to be highly radioactive. Learn more about the synthetic element with a video from a larger series on each of the chemical elements. A chemist describes the...

Why are Sherpas so uniquely equipped to guide aspiring mountain climbers up Mount Everest? Learn all about the biological ways that Sherpas can survive in a low-oxygen environment with an informative video.

Why does communication between people go wrong? According to Ludwig Wittgenstein, it's because the words we use make pictures in our minds but do not create the same picture in the minds of our listeners. Introduce young philosophers to...

To ensure safe long-term nuclear waste storage, scientists need to understand neptunium. Young scientists learn about a radioactive element with the help of multiple professors and chemists. They observe samples of neptunium as they hear...

In your home, there exists a radioactive element found in nuclear waste—in fact, likely there are multiple samples and they could save your life. Learn many other interesting facts about americium in the 118-part series about each...

Most substances decrease in density as they melt, but plutonium doesn't follow that rule. Viewers learn about plutonium while observing experiments using the element. Interesting anecdotes, terrifying properties, and enchanting visuals...

Should we be afraid of uranium? Video 92 of 118 on the periodic table of elements examines uranium. It covers the facts, misconceptions, dangers, and safety precautions for working with this radioactive element.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...