Thursday, September 8, 2022

Chemistry: we've got it

When I retired from classroom teaching in 2021, one project I set out upon was increasing the chemistry content on The Lessons of Phyz at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Physics teachers were fortunate enough to have David Goodstein's The Mechanical Universe (College and High School) at their disposal, to be used at their discretion. Better yet, they had Paul Hewitt's Conceptual Physics Alive!. All of these were in-depth, course-long series that covered nearly all the topics in introductory physics.

Surely there must be similarly comprehensive series in chemistry. 

Or not. Somehow the Goodsteins and Hewitts of chemistry either don't exist or have not had such good fortune in getting any comprehensive series green-lit. Talk to me, my colleagues in chemistry: what went wrong? If there's something missing from the list that follows, let me know.

What we do have is a couple of chemistry mini-series and one-offs that are delightful and work well in the chemistry curriculum. Here's what I've found so far.


CHEMISTRY: A VOLATILE HISTORY
Nuclear physicist and polished science communicator, Jim Al-Khalili, wanted to know how we came to our present understanding of the elements. This is the story he found, in three parts, as produced for BBC Four.
1. THE DISCOVERY OF THE ELEMENTS
The story of how the elements were discovered and mapped begins with the alchemists who questioned that the world was made up of earth, air, fire and water.

2. THE ORDER OF THE ELEMENTS 
The early scientists' bid to decode the order of the elements was driven by false starts and bitter disputes.

3. THE POWER OF THE ELEMENTS 
Breakthroughs harnessed elements' ability to release vast power, showing how scientists are trying to create new elements.
A video-based instructional series in chemistry with accompanying website for high school and college classes. 13 half-hour programs, online text, course guide, interactive lessons, historical timeline and periodic table.

Chemistry: Challenges and Solutions teaches general chemistry concepts using real-life challenges in energy, materials development, biochemistry, and the environment.

The course zeroes in on essential topics that are generally taught in introductory chemistry, providing a strong foundation for learners to pursue further study in science or a liberal-arts education. Videos include dramatic demonstrations of key principles, interviews with scientists who are doing current research related to these fields, animations, and clear explanations. Each video is hosted by a different working chemist – together, they show a diversity of chemistry professionals and the challenges chemistry is addressing for society. The on-line text covers key concepts with clear text and illustrations, while interactive labs provide simulations of chemical processes online.

As of the time of publication, episodes stream at the Annenberg Learner website.
1. MATTER AND THE RISE OF ATOMIC THEORY
The Art of the Meticulous. This introduction to chemistry, from a practical discipline in ancient times to the science it is today, touches on both major advances and discarded theories. The contributions to atomic theory of Dalton, Proust, Lavoisier, as well as those of the Arabic scientist, Jābir ibn Ḥayyān, who died in 803 AD, are discussed. The modern-day application of chemists' quest to refine and purify substances is demonstrated at a solar panel plant where a common material — silica sand — is transformed into photovoltaic panels. This program traces the story of how humans have always practiced chemistry; how, over time, it developed from a practical discipline into a science. Today, we keep up the chemists’ tradition to refine and purify substances. A current, real-life application of the “art of the meticulous” is the refining and purification of pure silicon from a common material—silica sand—for advanced electronics, such as cell phones and solar cells. Segments: The Origins Of Chemistry, Separating The Beach, Sand To Sun, The History Of Oxygen, Making Water The Hard Way, Atomic Manipulation. Hosted by Christopher Morse.

2. THE BEHAVIOR OF ATOMS
Phases of Matter and the Properties of Gases. By documenting how particles behaved in different states of matter, 19th century scientists gained a deeper understanding of the atom. Avogadro's suggestion that a volume of any gas, under equal temperature and pressure, contains the same number of particles, led to an understanding of the relationship between temperature and pressure and to the Ideal Gas Law. Today, a fourth state of matter, the supercritical fluid, may possibly help mitigate the impact of burning fossil fuels by storing carbon dioxide as a supercritical fluid within the Earth. Researchers are developing methods to pack hydrogen gas into carbon nanostructures for use as fuel in hydrogen-powered vehicles. This program explores the phases of matter—solids, liquids, and gases—and how particles in a given phase interact with each other. Phase diagrams explain at what temperature and pressure a given substance will be in a solid, liquid, or gas phase. Practical problems, like how to safely store enough hydrogen gas to power an automobile, are solved by understanding the different behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases. Understanding the relationships between temperature, pressure, and volume eventually led to the Ideal Gas Law, which provides the platform for examining the conditions under which matter can form a supercritical fluid. Researchers are investigating underground sequestration of supercritical carbon dioxide to mitigate the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels. Segments: The Behavior of Atoms, Phase Diagram, A Model of a Gas, Hydrogen Storage, Gas Laws, Volume = Temperature, Supercritical Fluid. Hosted by Mala Radhakrishnan.

3. ATOMS AND LIGHT
Exploring Atomic and Electronic Structure. In the early 20th century, identification of the internal parts of the atom (electrons, protons, and neutrons) led to a modern subatomic theory. Meanwhile, the study of atomic spectra—the light given off by atoms at definite wavelengths—led to the Bohr model of the atom, where electrons exist at distinct energy levels and move between these levels by absorbing and emitting discrete quanta of energy. The measurement of atomic spectra has applications in astrophysics as well as forensic chemistry. Segments: Atoms and Light, Making Light with Electrons, Atomic Models, Cathode Ray Tubes, Rutherford’s Experiment, The Flame Test, Observing Sunlight, Emission Spectra, Forensic Spectroscopy. Hosted by Michael McCarthy.

4. ORGANIZING ATOMS AND ELECTRONS
The Periodic Table. Before scientists knew about the subcomponents of atoms, they organized elements based on physical and chemical properties. Dmitri Mendeleev developed an early Periodic Table of the 63 known elements, leaving gaps for the discovery of new elements to come. His table was enhanced by Henry Moseley who enabled today's ordering of the elements, based on the number of protons. Scientists at Lawrence Livermore Labs have synthesized new elements up to atomic number 118. These new elements further our understanding of the mysteries of the atom and also have useful applications in forensic science. For centuries, chemists tried different methods to organize elements around patterns of chemical and physical trends, or regularities, eventually leading to the modern periodic table. Electron configuration is a powerful predictive tool, a simple extension from the periodic table. Physical characteristics, including atomic radius and reactivity, all depend on electron configuration and can be teased from a careful understanding of the periodic table. A living document, the periodic table is continually updated as new manmade heavy elements are discovered in research laboratories. Segments: Arranging the Elements, Periodic Trends in Reactivity, Electron Configuration, Reactivities of Alkaline Earth Metals, Seaborg’s Elements, Synthesizing New Elements. Hosted by Mala Radhakrishnan.

5. MAKING MOLECULES
Lewis Structures and Molecular Geometries. When molecules form, the elements bond to one other by sharing or exchanging electrons. The “Octet Rule” predicts how atoms will combine to fill the eight slots in their outer shells. The program shows how this simple, but powerful, bonding mechanism — when combined with electron pair repulsion — leads to the 3-dimensional structure of molecules. Using these principles, scientists can build molecules that disrupt the chemical processes of cancer cell replication. Lewis structures, atomic model configurations, VSEPR theory and radicals are discussed. Molecules can form when atoms bond together by sharing electrons and can be represented by a useful shorthand called Lewis Structures. These visual representations provide information to predict the three-dimensional shapes of molecules using valence shell electron pair repulsion (“VSEPR”) theory. Understanding how atoms bond within molecules provides insight into cell replication. Building on this knowledge, the shapes of molecules reveal the effectiveness of important antibiotics such as penicillin, and scientists can manipulate shapes of molecules to help design new cancer-treating drugs. Segments: Lewis Structures and Radicals, Free Radicals in Cell Replication, The Geometry of Molecules, Penicillin and VSEPR, Designing New Cancer Drugs. Hosted by Elizabeth Vogel Taylor.

6. QUANTIFYING CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Stoichiometry and Moles. To manipulate chemical reactions on a large scale, scientists use stoichiometry to quantify those reactions and make sure that there are just the right amount of reactants and products. Without it, reactions can be incomplete, with expensive materials wasted and harmful byproducts created. Using stoichiometry, scientists are creating chemicals that take the place of petroleum in fabricating sustainable materials. At different lab, scientists are mimicking the process of photosynthesis to convert the Sun’s energy into storable chemical energy. Stoichiometry gives us the quantitative tools to figure out the relative amounts of reactants and products in chemical reactions. Balancing the number of atoms on each side of the equation, calculating the amount of each reactant, and figuring out which reactant will run out first are all fundamental principles when designing any chemical reaction. These principles are applied when splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen for energy, manufacturing sodium iodide for radiation detectors, and producing common chemicals from renewable resources. Segments: Quantifying Chemical Reactions, A Balanced Equation for Fuel, Making Water 2:1, Calculating Molar Mass, Limiting Reagent, Finding the Limiting Reagent, Sustainable Chemistry, Hosted by David Song.

7. THE ENERGY IN CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Thermodynamics and Enthalpy. By first looking at work and heat, the course adds another dimension: the energetics of chemical reactions. This study of thermodynamics can lead to predicting how chemical reactions will proceed or how much energy is required or released during the reactions. To better understand chemical reactions, a new thermodynamic value called “enthalpy” is introduced. Practical applications of bond enthalpies, calorimetry, and other measurements of the energy in chemical reactions is helping scientists optimize the use of crop waste for biofuels and build more efficient automobile engines. The phrase “chemical reaction” conjures up images of explosions, bubbling gases, flames, and smoke. So many chemical reactions have visible results because energy is being transferred from one form to another—the realm of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics provides rules for predicting the progress of a reaction and for harnessing the energy released. It is key to solving pressing engineering problems, such as making the next generation of cleaner, and more efficient, automobile engines. Segments: Energy In Chemical Reactions, Exothermic Reactions, Flame Tornado, Endothermic Reactions, Heat Absorber, Measuring Heat, Mississippi Biofuels, Bond Enthalpy, Fighting the 2nd Law. Hosted by Nicole Labbe.

8. WHEN CHEMICALS MEET WATER
The Properties of Solutions. Solutions are uniform mixtures of molecules in which any of the phases of matter can be dissolved in another phase. Whether solids, liquids, or gases, solution chemistry is important because most chemical reactions, whether in the laboratory or in nature, take place in solutions. In particular, solutions with water as the solvent – aqueous solutions – are the core of all biology. Extending the particle model of matter to solutions enables chemists to predict what will happen to a deep-sea diver who breathes different mixtures of gases, or to the life forms in the ocean as CO2 levels rise in the atmosphere. The majority of chemical reactions happen in solutions—whether inside an espresso machine or in a human cell. For example, when we breathe, the nitrogen in the air dissolves in our blood. Henry’s Law gives us the power to predict, prevent, and treat “the bends”—a life-threatening condition that can happen to SCUBA divers when nitrogen in the blood comes out of solution and forms gas bubbles. Solution chemistry provides tools to measure the concentration of components of solutions, like the CO2 levels in ocean water. Knowing the concentrations of components in solutions can help determine the health of the world. Segments: When Chemicals Meet Water, What is a Solution?, The Coffee Solution, The Greatest Solvent, Solids in Solution, Gases in Solution, The Ammonia Fountain, CO2 in the Water. Hosted by Adam Brunet.

9. EQUILIBRIUM AND ADVANCED THERMODYNAMICS
Balance in Chemical Reactions. Some chemical reactions, like metal rusting, happen spontaneously. Others require external energy in order to occur. Expanding upon the basic thermodynamics of enthalpy from Unit 7, disorder (entropy) and Gibbs free energy are key to understanding what makes chemical reactions proceed thermodynamically. When the thermodynamics of a reaction prevent it from reaching completion, (both products and reactants are always present) it is called equilibrium. When equilibrium reactions are disrupted, such as the binding of oxygen by hemoglobin, as in carbon monoxide poisoning, it can be life threatening. Conversely, controlling an equilibrium reaction is important in chemical manufacturing, like in the synthesis of ammonia. Light a match and chemical change happens in a one-way process: Reactants are transformed into products. But there are many chemical reactions called “equilibrium reactions” that operate in both directions: with reactants and products always present. The Unit 9 video will show how chemical equilibrium works, the essential role it plays in the function of the human body, and how it is exploited in chemical processes such as ammonia synthesis, a process that provides food for up to half the world’s population. Segments: Equilibrium and Advanced Thermodynamics, Dynamic Equilibrium, The Equilibrium Constant, Le Chatelier’s Principle, Counteracting Poison, Pressure and Le Chatelier’s Principle, Temperature and Le Chatelier’s Principle, The Haber Process. Hosted by Wilton L. Virgo.

10. ACIDS AND BASES
The Voyage of the Proton. Acids and bases are important to many chemical processes: maintaining a stable internal environment in the human body, baking a delicious cake, or determining whether a lake can support aquatic life. Reactions involving acids and bases can be described through the transfer of protons – single H+ ions. For chemists, the number of those acidic hydrogen ions can be quantified by using the pH scale. The reactions of acids and bases, which can be monitored with indicators, can range from corrosive behavior to neutralizations that leave no acids or bases behind. To understand the controlling of pH of solutions, buffers are discussed in the laboratory and in the chemistry of the bloodstream. Acids and bases are found all around us, and the currency of acid-base chemistry is the proton, or hydrogen ion. Acid-base chemistry is part of everyday life, from baking and the food we eat to the innumerable reactions that keep the human body alive. Acid-base chemistry is measured on the pH scale—the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. Buffers can control pH, whether used in the lab or in the acid-base components of human blood. The role of acids and bases will be shown in food—from the rise of a cake to the making of cheese. In the environment, acid rain plagues industrial portions of the world; the chemical nature of acid rain reactions and the environmental response and impact are part of acid-base chemistry. Segments: Acids and Bases, Corrosive Acids and Bases, A Cheesy Weak Solution, Baked Reactions, Acidic Pond, Buffered Lemonade, Removing Acids from the Body. Hosted by Adam Brunet.

11. THE METALLIC WORLD
Electrochemistry and Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry is the study of chemical reactions in which the reactants transfer electrons from one compound to another. In any electrochemical process, one species will lose electrons and get oxidized, while the other must concurrently gain electrons and get reduced. So, these processes are called “redox” reactions. If the flow of electrons during a redox reaction can be controlled, energy can be stored inside batteries for later use or the surfaces of metals can be electroplated. Nearly all of these processes involve metals transferring their electrons, and in human biology, metals do most of the redox chemistry. The role of the redox chemistry of cobalt is in preventing birth defects and controlling heart disease. Metals allow the transfer of electrons through a process called oxidation-reduction, or “redox,” when one species gains electrons while another loses them. Chemists take advantage of this process by using electron transfers to power the batteries in our flashlights, phones, or cars. In biochemistry, trace metals, such as cobalt in Vitamin B12, often drive chemical reactions that are essential for human health. Redox reactions also occur without metals, as is the case when lightening hair color. Segments: The Metallic World, Powered by Redox, Oxidation-Reduction Reaction, Redox: Creating an Electric Current, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid in Fetal Development, Non-Spontaneous Redox Reaction, Hair, Highlights and Redox. Hosted by Catherine L. Drennan.

12. KINETICS AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
Rates of Reaction. The speeds of chemical reactions vary tremendously. TNT (Trinitrotoluene) detonates in a fraction of a second, whereas the iron in a car muffler takes years to rust through. A trip to an amusement park offers many analogies to help understand the factors that control reaction rates. For example, the rate of synthesis of cancer medicines can be increased by carefully-chosen catalysts. The connection between reaction rates and nuclear chemistry is underscored by examining how radioactive decay is used in PET scans. From an instantaneous explosion to the slow rusting of iron, the rates at which different chemical reactions proceed can vary tremendously depending on several factors, including temperature and concentration. Sometimes, like with the rotting of food, chemists want to slow down reaction rates. But often, the goal is to speed them up—and one way to do this is to use a catalyst. In this video, we will learn about catalysts and how using them can lead to cheaper, more effective, and more sustainable drug production processes. We will also discover how the rates of some reactions, like nuclear decay, are unchangeable, and how scientists take advantage of this, using PET scans to reveal the presence of disease. Segments: Activation Energy, Catalysts, Elephant’s Toothpaste, Molecular Architects, Radioactivity, PET Scans. Hosted by Wilton L. Virgo.

13.  MODERN MATERIALS AND THE SOLID STATE
Crystals, Polymers, and Alloys. In this unit, the focus shifts from fluids and their solutions to solids, whose atoms and molecules are fixed in definite arrangements. Examples of molecular configurations range from crystals in a mineral collection, to metal alloys, to long polymer chains. One promising area of polymer research may allow the delivery of essential drugs such as insulin to be taken orally and delivered directly into the bloodstream. Bioplastic-enclosed nanoparticles encasing the drug have the ability to withstand the body’s corrosive digestive system. Extremely high-temperature resistant alloys are another important application of the chemistry of the solid state. While chemical reactions in gases and liquids are essential to the understanding of chemistry, the chemistry of solid-state materials characterizes most of the interactions we have with matter on a daily basis. Chemists take advantage of the complexity of solids to engineer new materials, including nanoparticles, polymers, and advanced metal alloys. These new materials have many potential applications in sensors, advanced drug delivery systems, and space exploration. Today, modern materials are following a heritage—one that can be traced back to earlier civilizations—in which the properties of solids are manipulated to advance human needs. Segments: Modern Materials And The Solid State, Atomic Arrangements, Carbon Nanotube Sensors, Early Plastics, Making Nylon, Pharmaceutical Polymer Research, High Temperature Alloys. Hosted by Ainissa Ramirez.
Prolific tech writer and ebullient media personality, David Pogue, dove deep into the realm of chemistry for this two-hour NOVA special.
Where do nature's building blocks, called the elements, come from? They're the hidden ingredients of everything in our world, from the carbon in our bodies to the metals in our smartphones. To unlock their secrets, spin through the world of weird, extreme chemistry: the strongest acids, the deadliest poisons, the universe's most abundant elements, and the rarest of the rare—substances cooked up in atom smashers that flicker into existence for only fractions of a second.
A decade after Hunting the Elements, David Pogue returned to the chemistry lab to explore the world of molecules in this three-part NOVA mini-series. 
1. REACTIONS
Just about every solid, liquid, or gas in the world as we know it begins with reactions between individual atoms and molecules. It's the transformative world of chemical reactions, from the complex formula that produces cement to the single reaction that’s allowed farmers to feed a global population by the billions—a reaction that when reversed, unleashes the powerful chemistry of high explosives

2. INDESTRUCTIBLE 
Glass so strong you can jump on it, a rubber-like coating tough enough to absorb a bomb blast, endless varieties of plastic. Scientists and engineers have created virtually indestructible versions of common materials by manipulating the chains of interlocking atoms that give them strength—but have they made them too tough? Explore the fantastic chemistry behind the everyday materials we depend on, and how the quest for durability can be balanced with products’ environmental impact.

3. LIFE
Without the chemistry of photosynthesis, ozone, and a molecule called Rubisco, none of us would be here. So how did we get so lucky? Investigate the surprising molecules that allowed life on Earth to begin, and ultimately thrive. Along the way, find out what we’re all made of—literally.
Chemistry and physics commingle in Jim Al-Khalili's brilliant account of how we came to our current understanding of atomic structure. This is a three-part mini-series produced for BBC Four.
1. CLASH OF TITANS 
The modern understanding of the atom unfolded in the early years of the twentieth century. Baffling discoveries made by ingenious experimental scientists challenged the foremost theoretical physicists of the era. Rival factions fought over competing models. The players were human, with human strengths and weaknesses. Hard-fought victories were matched by crushing defeats. At the end of it all, a contemporary model of the atom emerged. 

2. THE KEY TO THE COSMOS 
The mystery of the universe has been largely resolved by our understanding of the atomic nucleus. In less than 100 years, we unlocked the secrets of its structure and origins. The correlation between cosmic abundance and nuclear stability was astonishing and unexpected. But there were stinging philosophical between divided factions and an irreversible taint of sin visited upon scientists along the way.

3. THE ILLUSION OF REALITY
With models of the atom and the nucleus in place, there was need to reconcile quantum mechanics with relativity. The next step was to generalize that reconciliation more broadly. When new and exotic particles burst onto the scene, a deeper structure was called for. As we move from the work Einstein and Bohr, through Dirac, to Feynman and Gell-Mann, we exchange our notions of vacuums and subatomic particles for the curiouser notions of quantum foam and quarks. And we realize our perception of reality is an illusion.
THE WORLD OF CHEMISTRY WITH ROALD HOFFMANN in progress
Journey through the exciting world of chemistry with Nobel laureate Roald Hoffmann as your guide. The foundations of chemical structures and their behavior are explored through computer animation, demonstrations, and on-site footage at working industrial and research labs. This series was produced in 1988.

1. THE WORLD OF CHEMISTRY
The relationships of chemistry to the other sciences and to everyday life are presented. 

2. COLOR
The search for new colors in the mid 1800s boosted the development of modern chemistry.

3. MEASUREMENT: THE FOUNDATION OF CHEMISTRY
The distinction between accuracy and precision and its importance in commerce and science are explained.

4. MODELING THE UNSEEN
Models are used to explain phenomena that are beyond the realm of ordinary perception.

5. A MATTER OF STATE
Matter is examined in its three principal states—gases, liquids, and solids—relating the visible world to the submicroscopic.

6. THE ATOM
Viewers journey inside the atom to appreciate its architectural beauty and grasp how atomic structure determines chemical behavior.
7. THE PERIODIC TABLE
The development and arrangement of the periodic table of elements is examined.

8. CHEMICAL BONDS
The differences between ionic and covalent bonds are explained by the use of scientific models and examples from nature.

9. MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE 
The program examines isomers and how the electronic structure of a molecule's elements and bonds affects its shape and physical properties.

10. SIGNALS FROM WITHIN 
Chemists' knowledge of the interaction of radiation and matter is the basis for analytical methods of sensitivity and specificity.

11. THE MOLE 
Using Avogadro's law, the mass of a substance can be related to the number of particles contained in that mass.

12. WATER
The special chemical properties of water are explored, along with the need for its protection and conservation.
Seires Three
13. THE DRIVING FORCES 
Endothermic and exothermic reactions are investigated and the role of entropy is revealed.

14. MOLECULES IN ACTION
Observing molecules during chemical reactions helps explain the role of catalysts. Dynamic equilibrium is also demonstrated.

15. THE BUSY ELECTRON
The principles of electrochemical cell design are explained through batteries, sensors, and a solar-powered car.

16. THE PROTON IN CHEMISTRY
Demonstrations explain pH and how it is measured, and the important role of acids and bases.

17. THE PRECIOUS ENVELOPE
The earth's atmosphere is examined through theories of chemical evolution; ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect are explained.

18. THE CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
Silicon, a cornerstone of the high-tech industry, is one of the elements of the Earth highlighted in this program.
Series Four in progress
19. METALS 
Malleability, ductility, and conductivity are examined, along with methods for extracting metals from ores and blending alloys.

20. ON THE SURFACE
Surface science examines how surfaces react with each other at the molecular level.

21. CARBON 
The versatility of carbon's molecular structures and the enormous range of properties of its compounds are presented.

22. THE AGE OF POLYMERS
How chemists control the molecular structure to create polymers with special properties is explored.

23. PROTEINS: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
The program examines proteins—polymers built from only 20 basic amino acids.

24. THE GENETIC CODE
The structure and role of the nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, are investigated.

25. CHEMISTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Dump site waste management demonstrates chemistry's benefits and problems.

26. FUTURES
Interviews with leaders from academia and industry explore the frontiers of chemical research. 
We live in an age when technological innovation seems to be limitlessly soaring. But for all the satisfying speed with which our gadgets have improved, many of them share a frustrating weakness: the batteries. Even though there have been some improvements in last century, batteries remain finicky, bulky, expensive, toxic and maddeningly short-lived. The quest is on for a "super battery," and the stakes in this hunt are much higher than the phone in your pocket. With climate change looming, electric cars and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power could hold keys to a greener future... if we can engineer the perfect battery. In Search for the Super Battery, renowned gadget geek and host David Pogue explores the hidden world of energy storage, from the power--and danger--of the lithium-ion batteries we use today, to the bold innovations that could one day charge our world. He wants to uncover what the future of batteries has in store for our gadgets, our lives - and even our planet. Might the lowly battery be the breakthrough technology that changes everything?
This episode emphasizes chemistry: atoms and where they come from. The simple act of making an apple pie is extrapolated into the atoms and subatomic particles (electrons, protons, and neutrons) necessary. Many of the ingredients necessary are formed of chemical elements formed in the life and deaths of stars (such as our own Sun), resulting in massive red giants and supernovae or collapsing into white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and even black holes. These produce all sorts of phenomena, such as radioactivity, cosmic rays, and even the curving of spacetime by gravity.
What would the universe look like if you were a billion times smaller or a billion times bigger? In this mind-bending series, Jim Al-Khalili will look at the universe across its vast range of size, ranging from the tiniest objects measuring just a few atoms, to vast structures consisting of hundreds of thousands of interconnected galaxies. Investigating these astonishing objects will reveal fundamental truths about our universe. At the end of each film, the audience will see the largest structures ever discovered in the universe and the smallest objects whose images scientists have managed to capture to date.

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