Chemistry: A Volatile History

Chemistry: A Volatile History is a critically acclaimed BBC television documentary series that explores the fascinating and dramatic story of how the elements were discovered. Hosted by theoretical physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili, the series charts the journey of early alchemy into modern chemistry, highlighting the brilliant, eccentric, and sometimes dangerous scientists who unlocked the secrets of the material world. Across three episodes, the program examines how mankind sought to understand the fundamental building blocks of nature, overcoming dangerous misconceptions and dangerous experiments. From the isolation of phosphorus to the creation of the periodic table, Al-Khalili demonstrates not only how chemistry shaped the modern technological world, but also the human passion, ambition, and obsession that drove these monumental scientific breakthroughs.