Chemistry: A Volatile History

Jim Al-Khalili traces the story of how the elements, the building blocks that make up our entire world, were discovered and mapped. He follows in the footsteps of the pioneers who cracked their secrets and created the new science of chemistry. The belief that were only four elements - earth, fire, air and water - persisted until the 19th Century. Al-Khalili looks at the alchemists who began questioning this.

Category

Documentary / Science

Original air date

21/01/2010