Curated Video
Reducing agent
A substance that removes oxygen from, or donates electrons to, another substance during a reaction. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig...
Curated Video
Quark
A fundamental particle, and the components from which protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei are made. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions....
Curated Video
Circuits
What are circuits and why do we need them? What happens if you break a circuit? Physics - Electricity And Circuits - Learning Points. Circuits are composed of a voltage source and components. The current in a series circuit is the same...
Curated Video
Factpack: Structure of the Atom
The different ways scientists have explained the structure of the atom, and how it has changed throughout history. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. A Twig FactPack Film. Open a discussion on what has been already learnt...
Curated Video
Carbon: Introduction
Carbon occurs naturally in four different forms. Discover how they differ and why? Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Carbon is present in all living organisms. Carbon in its elemental form appears as four distinct...
Curated Video
Metallic Bonding
Metals can be strong and hard, or they can be flexible. It's the special behaviour of ions that give metals their different properties. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Metal atoms bond together and create giant lattice...
Curated Video
Radioactive Substances
What is radioactivity? Explore the difference between alpha, beta and gamma radiation and how their different properties can make them useful. Physics - Energy And Radioactivity - Learning Points. Radioactivity is the nuclear decay of...
Curated Video
What is Electricity? - Energy Movement
What is electricity? How is it created, and what makes it useful? Physics - Electricity And Circuits - Learning Points. Electricity is a flow of charge. The flow of moving electrons is known as the electric current. Voltage is the amount...
Curated Video
Intermolecular Forces
Discover the role played by intermolecular forces in changing the state of matter between solid, liquid and gas. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Intermolecular forces are the attractive forces between molecules....
Curated Video
Static Electricity: The Hidden Dangers for Helicopters and Crew
A build up of static electricity is usually harmless, resulting in only small shocks. But in some cases it can be deadly. Discover the danger static electricity poses for helicopters and their crew. Physics - Electricity And Circuits -...
Curated Video
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...
Curated Video
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...
Curated Video
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,...
Curated Video
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...
Curated Video
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...
Curated Video
Flame Colours and Spectroscopy
The discovery by Robert Bunsen which allowed elements to be identified more easily, and even led to the discovery of new ones. Chemistry - Atoms And Bonding - Learning Points. Gustav Kirchoff assembled the first spectroscope - two...
Curated Video
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...
Curated Video
Rusting Nails
We investigate the conditions needed for rust to form. Four iron nails are placed under different conditions. One is half submerged in water. Another is completely submerged in boiled water. One is half submerged in salt water. The final...
Curated Video
Electrolysis of Water
We use electrolysis to break water molecules down into hydrogen and oxygen. This is done using the Hoffman apparatus. Water is added to the apparatus along with some dilute sulfuric acid. When a current is passed through the water,...
Curated Video
Ingenhousz's Heat Conductors
We use a metal box holding rods of different materials to test their ability to conduct heat. The box is filled with boiling water and a paperclip is attached to the end of each rod using petroleum jelly. As the heat moves through the...
Curated Video
Citrus Fruit Battery
We use lemons and strips of zinc and copper to make a battery. First, strips of copper and zinc are added to one lemon and they are connected across a voltmeter. This is repeated, this time with more lemons and metal plates, until a...
Curated Video
Capillary Action
Water is added to dry and bent matchsticks to let us see capillary action at work. The wood absorbs the water causing the matchsticks to straighten. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Water is a polar molecule because the electrons are...
Curated Video
Balloon and Treacle
We investigate the effect that unbalanced charge has on polar molecules. We rub a balloon against hair to build up a negative charge and then hold this near a stream of water and then a stream of treacle. They both bend towards the...
Curated Video
Van de Graaff Generator
We use a Van de Graaff generator to investigate static electricity. The generator is turned on and we see a spark move between the two domes. We then place a wig on the main dome and see the hair rise as the charge builds and the hairs...