Elemental

RNZ

To celebrate 150 years of the periodic table, get to know the back story of every element with our intrepid scientific hosts.

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98 episodes
Updated Dec 22, 2019

Episodes98

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Aug 22, 2019 · 14 min
Oxygen - the friendly element
Oxygen is very friendly with other chemical elements & very helpful for life on Earth, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 58 of Elemental. Oxygen is one of the few elements that exists as allotropes, which are different forms in the same physical state. Elemental oxygen is O. The oxygen that we breath in air is actually dioxygen or O2. There is also trioxygen, or ozone, O3. Oxygen is very friendly with other chemical elements as it is very reactive. Elemental oxygen is paramagnetic as it contains two unpaired electrons. It is very helpful for life on Earth, as the oxygen cycle drives most life on earth, says Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 58 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 18, 2019 · 8 min
Osmium - heavyweight champion of the elements
Osmium is extremely rare and expensive. It is the densest chemical element, rivals diamond as being the least compressible of all known substances & has a distinctive 'pong' according to Allan Blackman in ep 57 of Elemental. Osmium is an extremely rare and expensive transition metal, and only a few hundred kilograms are produced annually. It is the densest chemical element, and rivals diamond as being the least compressible of all known substances. It doesn't have many uses, although its hardness makes it useful in fountain pen nibs and clock bearings. The name osmium comes from the Grek osme, meaning 'smell'. Osmium tetroxide has a distinctive 'pong' according to Allan Blackman, in ep 57 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 15, 2019 · 13 min
Nitrogen - a vital powerhouse
Most important biological molecules contain nitrogen, even though it takes lots of energy to make or break its chemical bonds, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 56 of Elemental. Eighty percent of each breath we take is nitrogen gas. It is ironic that the French word for nitrogen, azote, means "without life', when most important biological molecules contain nitrogen. Nitrogen molecules are held together by one of the strongest bonds in chemistry. If you could obtain the energy contained in the bonds in a mere 28 grams of nitrogen gas you could use It boil 3 kg of water (starting at room temperature). Fortunately, nature can break these bonds using the enzyme nitrogenase. Nitrogen (symbol N, atomic number 7) is an important component of some vitamins. And the name vitamins, by the way, comes from 'vital amines'; amines being organic compounds containing one or more nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen is a life-saving explosive that is used in airbags in cars, says Allan Blackman in ep 56 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 11, 2019 · 9 min
Niobium - useful at high & low temperatures
Niobium is a metal that is useful at both very high temperatures, as in jet engines, and very low temperatures as a superconductor, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 55 of Elemental. Niobium was named after Niobe, daughter of King Tantalus in Greek mythology. The element got its name because it lies above the element tantalum, named after said father. Niobium is a transition metal that is used in alloys such as stainless steel, to add hardness. It is also being used in qubits in quantum computers. The elemental metal itself is very high-melting and therefore useful at very high temperatures, and is used in jet engines. At very low temperatures niobium is a superconductor, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 55 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 8, 2019 · 9 min
Nickel - more than just a 5 cent coin
The chemical element nickel is named after a German word for Satan or the Devil, but nickel is now more usually thought of as a North American five cent piece, says Allan Blackman in ep 54 of Elemental. The name nickel for the chemical element comes from a German word Nickel, meaning Satan or the Devil. The five cent coins of Canada and the United States are known as nickels, even though the coins contain only small amounts of nickel and are in fact mostly made of copper. Nitinol, which is made from 55 percent nickel and 45 percent titanium, is also known as memory metal. Bend a length of nnitinol into a shape, heat and the cool it, and it will always remember and bounce back into that shape. Great for spectacle frames! Another nickel alloy is invar, which doesn't expand when heated, as well as nickel chromium which is used in toaster elements. Nickel is often used in batteries and has important biological roles, says Professor Allan Blackman at AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 4, 2019 · 10 min
Neon - the red of neon lights
There are no known compounds of the noble gas neon, which does however produce the brilliant crimson of red - and only red - neon lights. Ep 53 of Elemental with Prof Allan Blackman from AUT. Coming in at atomic number 10, neon is the first element on the periodic table to have a full outer set of eight electrons. It is a noble gas, highly unreactive and has no known compounds. Neon gives its name, and the colour red, to neon lights. The other colours of neon lights come from hydrogen (also red), helium (yellow), carbon dioxide (white) and mercury (blue). Research into neon led to the discovery of isotopes and also the mass spectrometer. It can be used as a low temperature refrigerant and in diving gases, as it is less soluble in bodily fluid than helium. Neon has the smallest temperature range (just 2.5 degrees celcius) over which it exists as a liquid, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Aug 1, 2019 · 9 min
Neodymium - the secret behind supermagnets
Neodydmium magnets include the strongest permanent magnets known and are found in devices like speakers & headphones, says chemistry professor Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 52 of Elemental. Neodymium magnets were invented in 1982, and are the strongest permanent magnets known. A neodymium magnet can lift up to 1000 times its own weight. They are actually an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron. Neodymium magnets turn up in speakers, headphones, hard drives, guitar pick-ups and microphones. You can also buy them online as super strong fridge magnets. Electric cars contain about a kilogram of neodymium. Some neodymium compounds have the unusual property that they appear different colours to the human eye under different types of lights. And you can thank neodymium for your green laser pointer, says Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 31, 2019 · 7 min
The most boring chemical element
The Elemental podcast has inspired Prof Allan Blackman from AUT and Dr Rebecca Jelley from the University of Auckland, to publish a paper in the journal Nature Chemistry - here's a quick lowdown on 'The most boring chemical element.' Inspired by the Elemental podcast series, Dr Rebecca Jelley, from the University of Auckland, and podcast host Professor Allan Blackman, from the Auckland University of Technology, have just had a paper published in the prestigious science journal Nature Chemistry. In 'The most boring chemical element' Rebecca and Allan set out to mark the International Year of the Periodic Table by finding the most boring element. The task turns out to more challenging - and interesting - than they anticipated. And? Well, as they say in the 'abstract': "Could it be boron or bohrium that is the most boring? You'll need to read to the end to find out." Or, you could listen to the podcast first for the spoiler, but then we highly recommend a read - the article is funny and enlightening (and open access). Enjoy! The most boring chemical element - the podcast You can subscribe to the Elemental podcast for free, at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts and RadioPublic. The Elemental podcast is celebrating 150 years since the periodic table was first published by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. Find out more about events during the United Nation's International Year of the Periodic Table. Professor Allan Blackman is at Auckland University of Technology. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 28, 2019 · 10 min
Molybdenum - a catalyst at bacterial to industrial scales
Molybdenum has an essential role as a catalyst at microbial and industrial scales and is an important element in enzymes, says Prof Allan Blackman, in ep 50 of Elemental. Molybdenum's biggest claim to fame is that it is a catalyst for reactions ranging in scale from the bacterial to industrial. It is a transition metal that is also an essential element. It is vital for life and was also key to the evolution of life. Molybedenum is found in enzymes, most importantly nitrogenase, which converts elemental nitrogen to useable ammonia. This is why it is found in fertilisers. Somewhat confusingly, the element molybdenum gets its name from the Greek word molybdos, meaning 'lead'. Moly-steel is very strong alloy that is used in things like armour plating and rocket engines, says Professor Allan Blackman from the Auckland University of Technology. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 25, 2019 · 11 min
Mercury - mesmerising quicksilver
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, says Allan Blackman in ep 49 of Elemental. Mercury is an unusual metal that is liquid at standard room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Mercury is named after the planet, and its chemical symbol Hg comes from the Latin hydrargyrum or liquid silver. Its silver-grey colour was a familiar sight in old-fashioned thermometers and in amalgam fillings in our teeth. Mercury alloys easily with other metals, in a process called amalgamation. It was widely used to extract gold during mining, and to plate metals with gold in a process known as gilding. Mercury is highly toxic, and there are many examples of widespread mercury poisoning incidents. The term Mad Hatter refers to the health consequences of the use of mercury by milliners and hatters in the felting process that was part of making hats, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 23, 2019 · 8 min
Manganese - the 'essential' essential element
The metal manganese is a vital part of photosynthesis and is found in aluminium drink cans, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 48 of Elemental. The metal manganese performs a vital role in the oxidation of water to oxygen during photosynthesis - without it, life would be very different Pure manganese metal is brittle, but it is often alloyed with other metals to add strength and workability. Ordinary steel contains about one percent manganese, and it is also used in similar quantities in aluminium drink cans. Manganese steel contains about 13 percent and is extremely strong. It is used in railway tracks and gun barrels where strength is very important. The Lascaux cave paintings in France were painted with manganese dioxide. Manganese (symbol Mn, atomic number 25) occurs as nodules on the sea floor. These numerous onion-like balls form around a tiny object such as shark's teeth and whale ear bones. The nodules could be an important source of manganese in the future, according to Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 21, 2019 · 10 min
Magnesium - loved by everyone and everything
Magnesium is loved by plants, folk suffering constipation and boy-racers, as Allan Blackman reveals in ep 47 of Elemental. Magnesium is a crowd favourite, loved by everything from plants to people suffering from constipation, as well as boy-racers. Magnesium (symbol Mg, atomic number 12), is an essential element for most living things. In plants, a Mg²⁺ ion is at the heart of the chlorophyll molecule, putting the element at the base of the food chain. In the human body, it is involved in the synthesis of ATP, DNA and RNA. Magnesium ribbon burns with a brilliant white light and continues burning even after the oxygen in the air is used up. It can burn in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and even in water. It is often alloyed with aluminium to make a strong, light alloy that is used in mag wheels as well as bikes, cars and aircraft. These alloys are able to be cast, resulting in items that are very strong, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 18, 2019 · 8 min
Lutetium - an obscure Parisian
After a fierce struggle for naming rights, the last lanthanoid element to be discovered was eventually named after Paris, says Allan Blackman in ep 46 of Elemental. The element lutetium was named after Lutetia, the Roman name for a small town which grew to become the modern city of Paris. It was the last lanthanoid element to be discovered, and its naming was hotly contested by the three scientists who independently discovered it in 1907. There is also ongoing debate over whether it is actually a lanthanoid. It has a few, mostly medical, uses. Lutetium tantalite, for example, is the densest known white material which makes it good for use in x-ray detectors, as it phosphoresces when hit by x-rays. Lutetium was briefly the most expensive element on the planet, with a value six times that of gold, but while it remains the most valuable lanthanoid it is now only a quarter of the price of gold, according to Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 14, 2019 · 8 min
Lithium - a mood enhancing element
Lithium is the lightest metal, and it is used in batteries and for the treatment of bipolar disorder, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 45 of Elemental. Lithium is the lightest metal on the periodic table and the lightest solid element. Lithium (symbol Li, atomic number 3) is also the most reducing element - it has a single outer electron that it is desperate to give away so it can form lithium ions. This characteristic makes it invaluable in lithium ion batteries such as those used in electric vehicles. It is useful in light aluminium-lithium alloys that are important components of bikes, planes and high-speed trains. Lithium carbonate is widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, although we remain unsure exactly how it works in the human brain, says Allan Blackman from AUT in episode 45 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 11, 2019 · 14 min
Lead - sweet-tasting but deadly
Lead is the element that took down an empire, and its sweet taste belies a metal that is dangerous for human & animal health. All this and more with Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 44 of Elemental. Lead is the toxic element that helped build - and then bring down - the Roman Empire. The Romans used lots of lead, which is soft and corrosion-resistant, for plumbing. Plumbing, by the way, is a word that has lead's symbol Pb, from the Latim plumbun, as its root. The Romans also used lead in pewter drinking vessels, and red and white lead for decorating. They also used lead pans to boil down grape juice to a sweet-tasting sapa, or what we now know as lead acetate. Lead bioaccumulates in the human body, especially in the brain, and as well as causing intellectual disabilities it is a poison that eventually causes death. Lead has been phased out of widespread use in house paints and as a petrol additive, but even so, in 2016 it was implicated in half a million deaths worldwide. In episode 44 of Elemental, Allan Blackman from AUT talks about the many uses and dangers of lead, and reads a poem about lead by Emily Dickinson: 'After great pain, a formal feeling comes.' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 7, 2019 · 8 min
Lanthanum - curious case of a 'lost' element
Despite giving its name to a whole group on the periodic table, chemists can't agree if lanthanum even belongs in that group, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 43 of Elemental. Lanthanum is a bit of a 'lost' element, as chemists can't agree amongst themselves exactly where it belongs. Even though it gives its name to a group of elements known as the lanthanoids, some chemists think it should instead be one of the Group 3 elements, along with scandium and yttrium. Discovered in 1839, the element was hard to find, which is why its name comes from the Greek lanthanein, meaning 'to be hidden.' Lanthanum (symbol La and atomic number 57) doesn't have many uses, but it is a key part of metal hydride batteries which are used in hybrid cars. A Toyota Prius battery, for example, requires 10-15 kilograms of lanthanum, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT, in episode 43 of Elemental. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jul 4, 2019 · 8 min
Krypton - its name means 'hidden' but it's a real thing
In real life krypton is a noble gas which is commonly used in neon signs and laser light shows, says Allan Blackman from AUT in ep 42 of Elemental. The make-believe planet of Krypton is well-known in popular culture as Superman's home planet. But in real life krypton is an element on the periodic table. Its name comes from the Greek word kryptos, meaning hidden. Krypton, chemical symbol Kr and atomic number 36 - is a mostly unreactive noble gas, discovered in 1898 by William Ramsay, who also found helium and argon. Between 1960 and 1983, krypton was the basis for the definition of the metre. During the Cold War, levels of the radioactive Kr 85 isotope in the atmosphere indicated how much nuclear material was being produced possible use as weapons from nuclear reactors and nucelar fuel reprocessing plants. Red 'neon' lights and high-powered red laser lights often use krypton, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jun 30, 2019 · 11 min
Iron - creator of the modern world
Iron is formed in stars, makes up most of the Earth's core & as a result enables life as we know it to exist, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 41 of Elemental. Iron is the only chemical element on the periodic table to have one of the Ages of humanity named after it. Iron ornaments dating back to 3500 BCE have been found in Egyptian tombs, but the Iron Age started at different times in other civilisations. The first use of iron by humans was probably iron found in meteorites, as although Earth is home to lots of iron it is not found as elemental iron, except in meteorites. The discovery of steel - iron containing a small amount of carbon - ushered in the Industrial Revolution that led to the modern world as we know it. Iron is, by mass, the most common element on earth, because the inner and outer core of the planet are mostly made of iron. Molten iron in the core moves, creating an electrical current that causes the magnetic field which shields living creatures from harmful solar radiation. Iron is important to life on earth in other ways, too - in humans, iron is a vital component of haemoglobin and myoglobin which move oxygen around our bodies. And iron is the reason our blood is red, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jun 27, 2019 · 8 min
Iridium and the end of the dinosaurs
Iridium is the second-densest element on the periodic table and the most erosion-resistant metal. A layer of iridium in rocks marks the demise of the dinosaurs, according to Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 40 of Elemental. Iridium played an important role in a geological whodunnit - the demise of the non-avian dinosaurs. Iridium is present at high levels in a thin band of rocks that marks the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene geological periods. The theory is that the element came from a large meteor, about 10 kilometre across, the impact of which significantly changed the earth's climate for long enough to kill all the large dinosaurs (although of course avian dinosaurs - birds - survived). Salts of iridium are very colourful, hence the name iridium, after the Greek messenger to the Gods, Iris, who was also the Goddess of the rainbow. Iridium is twice as dense as lead and the second densest element (after osmium). It is the most corrosion resistant metal. It is rare and more valuable than gold, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Jun 23, 2019 · 11 min
Iodine - a vital trace element
A lack of iodine causes goitre, and seafood and iodised salt are good sources of this important trace element, says Prof Allan Blackman from AUT, in ep 39 of Elemental. The element iodine is often found in bathroom medicine cabinets, where it is used as an antiseptic for cuts and grazes. It gets its name from the Greek work iodes, meaning violet. Iodine (chemical symbol I, atomic number 53) is a non-metal, and shares a group with astatine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine. Seaweeds have the ability to concentrate iodine from seawater which is why seaweeds, fish and shellfish are a good dietary source of this vital trace element. The human thyroid gland concentrates iodine in the human body where it is used in two important hormones. A lack of iodine leads to goitre, and to prevent this it is added to table salt. In New Zealand, bakers must use iodised salt in bread, says Professor Allan Blackman from AUT. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details