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The elements

Every week, Guardian science blogger GrrlScientist introduces a new chemical element, with help from The Periodic Table of Videos – a collaboration between the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry and video journalist Brady Haran
  • Fiery mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion

    Element of the week: francium | video

    GrrlScientist: What do moldavium, the second world war and Easter egg hunts share in common?

  • Element of the week: bismuth | video

    GrrlScientist: What do pearlescent lipsticks, fishing weights and Pepto-Bismol share in common?

  • Mercury being poured into a glass dish

    Mercury | video

    GrrlScientist: What do felt hats, tuna and St Isaac's cathedral have in common?

  • Gold | video

    GrrlScientist: What do sunrises, meteorites, and the Philosopher's Stone have in common?

  • Iridium | video

    GrrlScientist: What do the international kilogram prototype, black pigments and the KT extinction have in common?

  • Osmium | video

    GrrlScientist: What do pen tips, electron microscopy and dinosaurs have in common?

  • Rhenium | video

    GrrlScientist: What do aircraft engines, a particular Russian volcano and the river Rhine have in common?

  • Tungsten | video |

    GrrlScientist: What do fishing lures, light bulbs and Oliver Sacks have in common?

  • Tantalum | video

    GrrlScientist: What do mobile phones, hip replacements and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have in common?

  • Hafnium | video

    GrrlScientist: What do microchips, nuclear power plants and Copenhagen have in common?

  • Lutetium | video

    GrrlScientist What is the most expensive metal in the world?

  • Ytterbium | video

    What do skin rashes, earthquakes and Sweden have in common?

  • Thulium | video

    What do dental x-rays, YAG and Tim have in common?

  • Terbium

    What do Sweden, aspirin and fluorescent lamps have in common?

  • Gadolinium

    What do Finland, compact disks and lichen have in common?

  • Europium

    what do cathode ray tubes, "Blue John" and moon rocks have in common?

  • Samarium

    What do firefighters' uniforms, lighters and magnets have in common?

  • Promethium

    What do vanishingly rare elements, distant peculiar stars and Greek legends have in common?

  • Lanthanum

    What do camera lenses, pool care products, and hydrogen sponges have in common?

  • Barium

    What do green fireworks, enemas and Shakespeare's "Hamlet" have in common?

About 50 results for The elements
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