Series 1

And then there was Li

The element that links the formation of the universe with the functioning of our brains.

• 28 mins

Series 1

Carbon - the backbone of life

Why is all known life built on carbon?

• 28 mins

Series 1

Silicon - The World's Building Block

The key component of rocks, sand and materials from glass and concrete to microelectronics

• 28 mins

Series 2

Our Lives with Lead

Uta Frith assesses the impact of the use and abuse of lead on humanity.

• 28 mins

Series 2

Phosphorus, Smoke and Lighting

How a discovery in boiled urine led to the trade union movement and chemical weapons.

• 28 mins

Series 2

Awesome Iodine

Why iodine is essential for our health.

• 28 mins

Series 3

Fluorine: Chemistry's Tiger

Fluorine has a deadly reputation as one of the most reactive of all the elements.

• 28 mins

Series 3

Any Old Iron

Beyond war and peace, how iron has shaped human biology and culture.

• 28 mins

Series 3

Sodium: The key to life

Sodium, the explosive alkali metal that is crucial for all life on Earth.

• 28 mins

Series 4

Silver

Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element silver enhances our lives.

• 14 mins

Series 4

Aluminium

Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element aluminium enhances our lives.

• 14 mins

Series 4

Gold

Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element gold enhances our lives.

• 14 mins

Series 4

Helium

Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element helium enhances our lives.

• 14 mins

Series 4

Strontium

Chemist Andrea Sella ends his festive series with fireworks and the element strontium.

• 14 mins