S02E06:…about Chemistry | James May’s Things You Need to Know

Episode 1 | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered The World

From the moment we first drilled for oil, we opened a Pandora's box that changed the world forever. It transfor...

01: Discovering the Elements | Chemistry: A Volatile History

The story of how the elements were discovered and mapped begins with the alchemists who questioned that the worl...

Episode 2 | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered The World

Professor Iain Stewart looks back at the 1950s, a time when the oil and gas fields of the Middle East became a ...

02: The Order of the Elements | Chemistry: A Volatile History

Professor Jim Al-Khalili looks at how the early scientists' bid to decode the order of the elements was driven ...

01: Metal | How It Works

Mark Miodownik traces the history of our love affair with metal. He investigates metals at the atomic level and sees how metal crystals can be grown...

03: The Nitrogen Cycle | Bellamy Rides Again

David Bellamy begins his trip around the nitrogen cycle in the Surrey hospital where he languished as a child suffering from acu...

Production of Plastic from Crude Oil | Real World Chemistry

Spec references J248: C6.2m, C6.2n, C6.2o J250: C6.1k, C6.1l, C6.1m. This clip demonstrates how plastic is produc...

Materials: How They Work

Materials scientist Mark Miodownik takes a look into the inner world of metals, ceramics and plastics and the microscopic structure that allows them...

Biological Catalysts | Science Topics

The video provides examples of biological catalysis, such as enzyme use in cheese production and human digestion, followed by an explan...

Episode 3 | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered The World

Professor Iain Stewart examines the situation in the 21st century, at which point the global consumption of oil...

03: Ceramics | How It Works

Professor Mark Miodownik looks at how simple clay, sand and rock can be changed into pottery, glass and concrete to build cities and transform th...

Arrangment of the Periodic Table | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J248: C2.2a, C2.2b, C2.2c J250: C2.2a, C2.2b, C2.2c. This video explains the arrangement of the periodic ...

Atomic Structure - Building an Atom | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J248: C1.2b, C1.2d, C1.2e J250: C1.2b, C1.2d, C1.2e. How can an atom be completely described by the in...

Introduction to Atoms | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J248: C1.1a J250: C1.1a. This video provides an introduction to the concept that all materials are composed of atoms...

Sustainable cities | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered the World

Professor Iain Stewart visits Masdar in Abu Dhabi, a city that relies on renewable energy.

The Haber Process | Science Topics

Spec references J248: C6.1d. The video starts with an overview of the industrial production of nitrate fertiliser through the Haber proces...

04: The Phosphorus Cycle | Bellamy Rides Again

David Bellamy dances his way through an aerobics class to show how phosphorus helps turn food into energy. Then he sits in the...

Carbon dioxide levels | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered the World

Professor Iain Stewart outlines the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Endothermic and exothermic reactions | Bitesize Science

Endothermic reactions absorb heat, while exothermic reactions give off heat.

Episode 2 | The Secrets of Everything

Science daredevil Greg Foot finds out if you could survive in a falling lift if you jump as it hits the ground, what makes chillies hot...