Chemical elements
A chemical element is a species of atoms that have a given number of protons in their nuclei, including the pure substance consisting only of that species. Unlike chemical compounds, chemical elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by any chemical reaction.
4 episodes
Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:
Carbon
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Carbon, the vital component of all living things
15 June 2006
Featuring: Harry Kroto, Monica Grady, Ken Teo
Chemical elements
Melvyn Bragg explores the history of chemistry, the role of the elements and examines chemistry's continuing mission to understand the behaviour and relationship of these irreducible substances.
25 May 2000
Featuring: Paul Strathern, Mary Archer, John Murrell
Oxygen
Melvyn Bragg discusses the discovery of Oxygen by Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier and the Anglo-French feud that accompanied it.
15 November 2007
Featuring: Simon Schaffer, Jenny Uglow, Hasok Chang
Silicon
Misha Glenny and guests discuss the biology, physics and chemistry of one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust and its impact on our atmosphere and on technology
26 March 2026
Featuring: Kate Hendry, Andrea Sella, Monica Grady