Metal Mayhem - with Andrew Szydlo

Chemistry teacher and science demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo is back at the Ri, for an unforgettable evening exploring the exciting world of metals.
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Metals make up the bulk of the Periodic Table, and show a huge range of interesting behaviours. From watching liquid metals become solid, to seeing solid metals dissolve before your eyes, Andrew will take us on journey through the weird and wonderful ways in which metals behave and react. Expect lots of flashes, smokes and smells, exciting colourful chemistry, and plenty of flames along the way!
Andrew Szydlo is a chemist and secondary school teacher at Highgate School, well-loved by pupils and Ri attendees alike.
This science extravaganza was filmed in the Ri on 2 November 2019.
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A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially:
Andrew McGhee, Anna-Chiara Bellini, Dave Ostler, David Crowner, David Lindo, David Schick, Erik Shepherd, Greg Nagel, Jan Bannister, Joe Godenzi, John C. Vesey, Kellas Lowery, Lasse T. Stendan, Lester Su, Matt Townsend, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Radu Tizu, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke and Roger Baker.
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[@TheRoyalInstitution]

Do you need more Szydlo in your life? We've got you covered - kzbin.info/aero/PLbnrZHfNEDZxPZ369tAF0wjnNo-A3EcDi

[@awmperry]

Every new Szydlo lecture is an instant watch. He, Chris Bishop, and Matt Parker are always a delight to see in the uploads.

[@littlerock8926]

I would like a lot more of Irving Finkel. He is one of the most exciting and Professor Szydlo runs a very close second.

[@timothypnolan]

the Richard Feynman of chemistry.

[@malcolmcog]

I love metals too ! So much my son became a metallurgist !

[@marcdraco2189]

I want to rewind back to when I was in school to listen to these. What a showman!

[@simonflk]

Dr Szydło was my chemistry teacher in school, some 25 years ago. What can I say? he still has it 💯 I wonder if you're still driving around in a Triumph Herald... Fond memories...

[@BillySugger1965]

Simon Flack You were a very lucky student!

[@Arsenic71]

Lucky you!

[@iseeolly9959]

You lucky man! He's a star!

[@Gkuljian]

He must have been a ball of energy back then, judging by today. My dad had Linus Pauling for a chemistry teacher in college.

[@andrestrujado]

Yes, he still does!

[@sophiiaa4349]

He was my chemistry teacher for a term when I was in Y8 and that was probably the best term of my life. He is an icon in my school and so funny. Every chemistry lesson he would either almost burn down the class or dance around the room. One time he burst out singing the French national anthem. Some of the happiest memories what a guy

[@AlbertLebel]

I can understand why. He is truly genius. Brilliant, funny and so proper

[@lowresgamr]

I had a chemistry teacher who was similar in high school, however I'm in America so it wasn't this mad man. R all chemistry teachers just either "accidentally" blowing stuff up or burning down the classroom?

[@boskee]

@@lowresgamr sadly not. My chemistry teacher tortured us with theory without explaining anything or showing what it does. She effectively killed any interest in chemistry in her students.

[@emanuelmifsud6754]

@@lowresgamr I am a chemistry teacher in Australia. It depends on the individual, their training and their appraoch to teaching. Also certain things in science would not be in the syllabus, so we show them to encourage the love of the subject. It also depends on the class, some classes have students who would greatly benefit out of showing unusual demonstrations. Also some chemicals are not available to teachers as they have restrictions on them. Even though I made touch powder for my own benefit, it would be inappropriate to demostrate to students touch powder as they may want to make it. If they hurt themsleves the teacher could be found contributing to the problem.

[@philswede]

I'm happy for you, what a fantastic privilege.

[@Arsenic71]

I just love Andrzej Szydlo's lectures, he's a fantastic educator. I hope he will continue doing what he does for many years to come.

[@tokenlau7519]

Interesting fact: according to Wikipedia his first name is actually Zbigniew. There is a link to his webpage in Wikipedia (I am not giving it here, because youtube usually removes messages with links). Another interesting fact is that his name means 'awl' in Polish. Also the Polish prime minister for years 2015-2017 had the same surname as he has.

[@garycard1456]

Compare Andrew's engaging 'old school' presentation style to the 'sterile', dull, miserable and unengaging chemistry experiment demonstrators on the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) channel, with an over-the-top emphasis on health and safety.

[@kdilla9364]

I only wish I could be apart of these lectures. So fascinating and brilliant!

[@xjunkxyrdxdog89]

This man is the human equivalent of a world heritage site. We need to protect and preserve him for future generations.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Talk about easily impressed.

[@atrumblood]

I'll get the formaldehyde!

[@xjunkxyrdxdog89]

@@atrumblood I'm ashamed that I laughed at that. "That's turrible you're turrible" - Cleveland Brown

[@cwifrbm926]

I love learning. Dr. Szydio makes it even more enjoyable. I recommend that he gets a raise. Thank you Royal Institute for your renowned ability to bring us the very best and brightest the world has to offer. Most of us wouldn’t be able to experience lectures of this caliber without you being so forthcoming as to post on KZbin.

[@andylane7142]

Its the need, the desperation to get the information off his chest and into children’s rains that I love. Its like he has been told he has 10 minutes to live and he has to teach his children everything he has ever learned. “I need to show you”. I want to tell you” I need you to see” just incredible.

[@tncorgi92]

I can only hope to have half the energy and enthusiasm when I reach his age. He's like Doc Brown on Red Bull.

[@DannyHeywood]

He is only 22, those gasses are not as harmless as he says.

[@BattleBunny1979]

@@DannyHeywood :-)

[@Paulthefonz]

as opposed to the normal doc brown, who we all know is a very calm and relaxed person

[@MadScientist267]

Something about the way he says, ".. you see" lol

[@darcassan]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't immediately excited to see this video in my feed.

[@donnahaynes8766]

aside from always learning something and being thoroughly entertained, a thing that I very much appreciate about Dr. Szydlo is that he ALWAYS thanks and acknowledges all of his assistants. These programs would be very difficult without helpers, but very few of the speakers who do complicated demonstrations actually acknowledge, much less actually thank, their assistants. Dr. Szydlo, you are a wonderful teacher and a true gentleman. Thank you.

[@BrianDickens4]

I'm going to watch this lecture in a few moments, but I already know I'm going to like it very much. His RI lectures are done with so much passion it's a wonder he doesn't pass out from hyperventilating because he talks so fast. :) Mr. Szydlo, thank you very much for all your RI lectures!

[@BobStBubba]

He winded himself a bit, on the trumpet.

[@RWBHere]

His brain is working far more quickly than his words can be uttered. That's why he doesn't always complete his sentences. Some people also stammer because of that same effect.

[@rigel2112]

He actually nearly does pass out in one of them I think it's the first one.

[@chandlerj333]

My brain: “Since this is about metals, there’s no way he’s going to do the hydrogen balloon demonstration.” 1:16:00 “Andrez, do we have the balloons?”

[@Phantom0fTheRouter]

Ah Dear Child, but the Palladium used as the catalyst for the final hydrogen + oxygen reaction, instead of fire/heat, would be the actual focus of the final demonstration of the tendencies of certain metals toward mayhem.

[@tuplaluusto]

No good lecture without burning stuff

[@JNCressey]

To be fair, the period table at 35:45 colours hydrogen as a metal. 🙃

[@frannelwokatega4057]

Chemists: Hydrogen is not a metal Me: checks periodic table, it is on the side of metals 😢

[@oliverer3]

@@frannelwokatega4057 There is such a thing as metallic hydrogen it's however only theorized to occur naturally under the extreme pressures in the core of gas giants like Jupiter or Saturn.

[@sergejnekrasov7688]

Finally another video with our most beloved professor szydlo!

[@slydawg798]

I love learning. Dr. Szydio makes it even more enjoyable. I recommend that he gets a raise. Thank you Royal Institute for your renowned ability to bring us the very best and brightest the world has to offer. Most of us wouldn’t be able to experience lectures of this caliber without you being so forthcoming as to post on KZbin.

[@RWBHere]

I was wondering how long it would take before we saw the Potassium Permanganate /Glycerin reaction. What a treat to see it used twice! Mr. The thermite reaction is always spectacular.Szydlo is a brilliant teacher of both children and adults. Thank-you.

[@subliminalvibes]

I love that this professor is always given considerable extra time on his lectures.

[@mbirth]

And he's already running at 1.25 speed.

[@tokenlau7519]

@@mbirth Sometimes 1.50 ;)

[@Nebucatnetzer]

What a great honour to watch another lecture of Mr. Szydlo. Simply an amazing teacher.

[@vortmax1981]

I love watching Prof. Szydlo, he's so enthusiastic about his work, and it's clear when he lectures

[@rigel2112]

Yay Andrew Szydlo! This guy can make anyone excited to learn chemistry. Watch all of his stuff it is amazing.

[@ruimartins2615]

If we all had teachers like this man, humanity will thrive!!

[@chilly22]

i dont instantly click anything on this channel.. apart from mr szydlo

[@iseeolly9959]

You have good taste mate.

[@issamqalajy5342]

Just like you

[@mereblue]

He’s back!! I love his lectures and admire him as a fellow educator.

[@meteoman7958]

Andrew Szydlo is a national treasure.

[@TheWuschi]

You mean metanational, don't you? He absolutely is a treasure as well for the UK as for Europe due to his Polish descent, and a bang (cover your ears, children!) right into the face of anti-polish, anti-immigration ressentiments in the UK.

[@johnrichardson7629]

International

[@meteoman7958]

@@johnrichardson7629 Thanks John, I just watched it again.

[@BillySugger1965]

How lovely! This reminds me so much of wonderful science lectures I attended as a child in the 1970s at the Salisbury Playhouse. One was given by the famous Colonel Brian Shaw, who demonstrated explosives in an educational but highly entertaining manner. I distinctly remember his firing a tallow candle through plywood with a musket loaded with black powder! This lovely RI lecture on the chemistry of metals is very much in that style.

[@andrestrujado]

You can watch more of Andrew's lecture in this channel and head over to the Periodic Videos Channel for more B D Shaw recreated demos

[@FredStam]

My favorite prof in the RI. greetings from the Netherlands

[@K_i_t_t_y84]

I really enjoy Dr. Szydlo's videos very much. Thank you for posting them! ♥

[@pharmdiddy5120]

Dr. Szydlo has some of the best lectures :) The wee ones love watching these - all that hard work and energy actually keeps their attention! The thermite was my favorite

[@andrestrujado]

Mine too!

[@skebess]

Thank you very much indeed.

[@tlwwithornament3302]

This guy radiates science and i love it. Absolutely brilliant.

[@andrestrujado]

Another magnificent lecture demonstration by the greatest chemist! Proud to be a part of it

[@yongewok]

Metal Mayhem with Andrew Szydlo: Metals courtesy of nature, Mayhem courtesy of Szydlo

[@forknowledge6959]

I love this guy! I wish my dad were still alive, he loved metal!

[@michaelhogan738]

I am a chemist/ChE, and I love your presentations! I even learn some things on the way. This is the kind of thing that sparks interest in these "Dear Children"! Thank you, Andrew Szydlo!

[@markhorton8578]

I knew almost all this, but I was still entranced by his entertaining presentation, and speed. Really enjoyed it. Off to find more of his stuff now.

[@drhmufti]

I’ve been waiting for this since November when I saw it with my kids!

[@JoTheVeteran]

I love that man! What a nice guy! Awesome demonstration, as always.

[@patrickaycock3655]

He should teach every science class, ever.

[@nikf3188]

Fresh Szydlo for a Saturday breakfast time? Perfect. Love this mans style & his personality is infectious. Quintessential mad scientest, with a ridiculously clear way of explaining complex science stuff, which even we geeks love!

[@banukakumarasinghe3389]

I just love Andrew Szydlo's videos. They are so fun and interesting. I wish I had a chem teacher like him. All the students who learned under him are so lucky!

[@whispyriewillow6021]

This is the type of personality and educator that I wished had taught me when I was younger. The children need to see pure enthusiasm for the things they learn.

[@Zehn2222]

Mr Szydlo is one of the best, great thanks from France for all his work ♥

[@shyleshsrinivasan5092]

Thanks a lot for bringing this show on KZbin for everyone !

[@SpottedBullet]

Oh yeah! Got this guy back again...here comes the fun.

[@andylane7142]

My only question is who are the 96 people who disliked this. Andrew is almost a national treasure, I wonder how many thousands of children went into chemistry because of his infectious enthusiasm.

[@PopularScenes-ko5tl]

Dr Szydlo is awesome, amazing energy and beautiful demonstrations. World needs more teachers like him. Chemistry can be so interesting and cool.

[@fieldri1968]

I love the breathless enthusiasm Andrew Szydlo brings to his presentations. I did a chemistry degree, and it was experiments like these that helped put me on that path.

[@nickname7152]

What a teacher with full of energy. Lucky kids.

[@Landcervelatwurst]

I love science, but this mans enthusiasm for it is just mindblowing. Thank you very much indeed!

[@shawnowings8378]

This man is a genius. I'm an American. I wish our professor's were as passionate about knowledge.

[@johnrobinson357]

I am extremely fond of this man, the fact that he teaches is a fantastic gift to all whom experience it i'm certain. Had i the good fortune of having him teach me, i very well may have become a chemist. I find it absolutely fascinating and remember that which he has stated in his dissertations at the royal institution very clearly. His enthusiasm and passion is infectious, may the dear lord bless his soul. I chose electronics as a career, but science itself is the key to ALL things. Without it we would still be in the dark ages..........

[@MrMoggyman]

Andrews lectures are amazing. He is like the mad knowledgeable professor who is willing to have a go at anything to see what actually happens. I love this. It invokes in young people a sense of adventure and experimentation in science, and shows that the subject is a fun learning experience. I have always had the same approach as Andrew. Someone once asked me why I got into electrical engineering as it is a difficult subject full of maths and physics. Was it because I liked doing maths and physics? My answer was I got into electrical engineering because electricity can be dangerous! Wonderful Andrew. What fun we could have had if you had taught me chemistry.

[@philswede]

Greetings from Sweden! What a fantastic lecture, me and my children watch this totally mesmerized. Pure joy of teaching and learning.

[@mynickwaspirated]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you very much.

[@likag.105]

How much I love the videos with Andrew Szydlo.

[@yongewok]

I'm glad theres still an educator who continues to address the youth with "Dear Children" - the young kids are the most important spectators because they will continue the tradition

[@marcstraus3582]

Humanity is blessed with passionate tutors like Andrew

[@xXDrSnugglesXx]

Ah my favorite professor, can't pass this video up. Need to watch this even if i need to be up early

[@iseeolly9959]

Haha....me too...why do we stumble across these gems late at night?.....so few hours in the day and so much to learn! Cheers mate.

[@Arkadius1984gl]

I do bet, that many of scientists that made all the discoveries a few hundred years ago must have been just like Professor Szydlo - I can literally imagine him in the dark lab in 17-18th century :) Massively positive character and an excellent educator - hats off.

[@Trumplican]

I LOVE this man! Every one of his lectures are pure genius!

[@unknown-ql1fk]

Love these shows

[@dirkbergstrom9751]

Wonderful presentation and demonstrations! Thank you.

[@somanithpreap]

I hope that this amazing man will live forever bringing us more fantastic knowledges

[@antman7673]

2:46 You can ring a bell at that angle because the bell pendulum will lay inside on the bell and stop the sound.

[@FantomZap]

Dr. Szydlo is such a wholesome person.

[@cancer_sucks]

how did i miss this!!?? i love this guy, i wish at least one of my school teachers had his passion.

[@martinschultz3441]

Most kind of you Szydlo. Thank you very much indeed

[@TKFKU]

Gandalf in a lab coat. Always a treat to sit in on one of his demonstrations.

[@EricMJWebster]

As a welder I found this video delightful and educational!

[@froop2393]

chemists are always soo excited 🤣

[@Bobsry16]

Their excitement always excites me.

[@lorezampadeferro8641]

What a fantastic teacher. His lectures are really capturing.

[@Toninjinka]

37:50 I'm French and I have to say that I love his way to pronounce "Et voilà!" without accent!

[@tokenlau7519]

Because he is of Polish descent, so he knows pretty well how to pronounce and accent some other European languages. BTW his surename means 'awl' in Polish. Also the Polish prime minister for years 2015-2017 had the same surname as he has.

[@Toninjinka]

@@tokenlau7519 Thank you for these informations! But I'm french and I don't know how to pronounce and accent polish! So the fact that he is of Polish descent is interesting but doesn't explain what I was saying (unless french is commonly taught in Poland, or french has similarities with polish, but I'm not supposed to know that if it's the case). Anyway, I think Mr Szydlo is a passionate man and his curiosity could be sufficient to explain he's good at pronouncing ^^ That being said , I would have pronounced Bunsen with a "s" like in the english "nose", unlike he did, but anyway, I like this guy :)

[@krzysztofbandyk168]

@@Toninjinka polish borrows a few of the phonetic features from french that influence can be hard to spot becouse of the harsher sounds like "sz" and "cz" which are quite common. Nosal sounds are very simmilar. Polish ł is prenounced like the "ou" . While some polish schools include french as a 3rd or a 2nd language its not exactly very popular as by that metric languages go english,german,russian,french. A polish speaker has the phonetic librarry to prenounce french more or less correctly by ear but most likely hasnt ever learned the language.

[@Toninjinka]

@@krzysztofbandyk168 Ok thanks for your comment! :)

[@tokenlau7519]

@@Toninjinka Wikipedia says that his first name is actually Zbigniew: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Szydlo His web page address is given there as well.

[@davidhaney1394]

i love this guy , you cant help but get excited with him ,

[@FlyMIfYouGotM]

An adult with the energy and sense of wonder of a child! More teachers need to be like him.

[@AcMilanxACx94]

What a clever clever man, absolutely superb

[@panagiotisgrafakos8668]

For the Skyrim Fans: Isn't Andrew Szydlo's character, personality, and voice very alike to Tolfdir from The College of Winterhold????? Amazing person!

[@Gkuljian]

Oh my god, I'm only several minutes in and I can see this was made for me. Trumpet Voluntary In D Minor by Purcell (or something like that). I also love metal. I have tons and tons of it surrounding me. I live amongst buckets of metal pieces that are actually in my house. So I almost literally sleep with metal. Titanium, aluminum, 4130... I even have a silver trumpet.

[@nemesis4785]

It's by Jeremiah Clarke :o)

[@Gkuljian]

@@nemesis4785 How interesting. I've just looked around, and it has been incorrectly attributed to Purcell for years. His name was even on the music script I played from. Also, it's D Major. Haha.

[@nemesis4785]

@@Gkuljian It's formally known as 'The Prince Of Denmark's March' and, as you rightly say, Wikipedia states it has been/was incorrectly attributed to Purcell! I'm a big baroque fan, esp. Bach.

[@ciurdypsyco]

Such a great energy. Wish my professors were like him

[@Groink1]

Great job as always, Mr. Capo! :D

[@clavo3352]

This man is a wonderful resource that most everyone should know about. Surely the people that manage IBM Watson and other AI and potential AI batteries of knowledge have access to use these recordings for teaching future generations. His pace is a little too quick but that seems to be the speed at which he works best.

[@samluca1244]

During my school days i hate being in class for the recitations and the experiments. BUT with Dr. Szydlo im wide awake till the end of his lectures...

[@lvlarihuan0]

The Rolls Royce radiator reminded me the "Cheech and Chong up in smoke" movie. I hope professor Szydlo didn't steal it somewhere. Thank you very very much, professor Szydlo et al. I enjoyed your beautiful lecture.

[@AnoNymInvestor]

Thank you Mr. Andrews! Your videos are not only entaining but also at the same time somehow similar to Tara Shears videos. I like you both. You both have the distinct fire.

[@Jerikhoo]

i sleep with youtube on in the background and i keep ending up here everytime i wake up

[@williamspivey1804]

Fantastic professor....man's a credit to his field y'all

[@adamlewellen5081]

Love this guy. Has a fascinating channel about bee keeping.

[@mandibourget3434]

If this lovely man had been my science teacher, I'd be all kinds of a scientist by now. :)

[@chilly22]

can you imagine if you had this guy as your science teacher in school??? we'd all be scientists by now. pure inspiration, enthusiasm and dare i say entertainment? im entertained... while learning? if only all teachers could be like this.. id have loved school.

[@Lord_Baphomet_]

1:55 It’s truly remarkable that Indian Bidri Metal Art Work is being talked about in The Royal Institute in England. Dr. Szydlo is truly an amazing scientist and just an all around good and decent human being.

[@jonross377]

I can see how much your kids love you in every video. And why wouldnt they, I love you too!

[@mariusvanc]

My favorite RI professor!

[@clintongryke6887]

Wonderful Dr Szydlo.

[@dinky9216]

Playing "Just A Minute" taken to extremes.

[@FurbiidN]

This man is highly evolved. Energy of the collective grant me a teacher as evolve this man. I would give 10 years of my time

[@timaskew4837]

The sort of enthusiasm that makes you listen hard and lookup things afterwards.

[@teddy7746]

This guy is such a good speaker and showman.

[@2drewbaker]

I thought he might accidentally hit that nail into the Royal Institute desk. When he stopped short of that, I thought, he may deserve to leave a mark on that desk.

[@andrestrujado]

He did already! Trust me

[@Playingwith3D]

OMG, I would have loved to have a teacher like this when I was a little JR. Scientist.

[@BrHck]

What an amazing lecture indeed

[@chaoslab]

Really enjoyed this lecture.

[@primemagi]

A great scientist. Thank you. Ferydoon Shirazi. MG1

[@haythamfaisal8113]

Nice to catch this early, looking forward to lecture.

[@haythamfaisal8113]

Dear children intensifies…