Cobalt - Periodic Table of Videos

A new video about Cobalt, including reactions involving Cobalt Chloride.
More links and info in full description ↓↓↓
Featuring Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff. And in the lab with Neil Barnes.
Discuss this video on Brady's subreddit: redd.it/7w44d0
Support us on Patreon: / periodicvideos
More chemistry at www.periodicvideos.com/
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And on Twitter at / periodicvideos
From the School of Chemistry at The University of Nottingham: bit.ly/NottChem
With thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Periodic Videos films are by video journalist Brady Haran: www.bradyharan.com/
Brady's Blog: www.bradyharanblog.com
Music in this video by Alan Stewart... bit.ly/AlanAlbum
Thanks also to Sam Tang and Sean Riley for additional shots.
Join Brady's mailing list for updates and extra stuff --- eepurl.com/YdjL9

[@Doc_Fartens]

"Did you buy it in the nineteenth century?" You cheeky bugger, Brady.

[@lemonke8132]

pure savagery

[@BarryObama666]

Who knows? Maybe he did buy it in the 19th century? Yes I know it was a joke but maybe he bought it over 200 years ago

[@MLarios97]

@@BarryObama666 sure buddy

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

So when do we get to see the time machine video?

[@leokimvideo]

When your neighbour is Iron and so famous, Cobalt had to show it's colours to impress.

[@manojadikari129]

Like that comment mate😂 Greeting s from Sri Lanka

[@beefgoat80]

Missed the professor! This guy inspired me to go back to school and pursue a degree in chemistry.

[@EmazingGuitar]

beefgoat nice

[@awfullyawful]

How’d that go?

[@jimbojim4767]

@sal c he probably shat himself when its not just messing around with chemicals and you have to take calc physics and up to calc 3

[@SwitchTF2]

Jimbo Jim nah it’s chilling

[@monmon1741]

Im rooting for you. Pursue your dreams

[@guitarz667]

"Did you buy it in the 19 century?" Instantly shut down by the professor with a common sense mundane answer.

[@daimon3554]

The professor wasn't even born during the 19th century 😭

[@HomemadeChemistry]

Did you buy it in the 19th century?

[@googlesucks3713]

He just went along with it lol This fucking guy

[@vijay20]

shade.

[@neonlight6771]

*_HAHAHA_*

[@cele42]

That smile

[@M139NG]

His smile made my day.

[@waltermarlin1730]

3:23 I agree with this sentiment. Leave it closed.

[@iurirobert9845]

i believe that when showing those reactions the chemical equation should be on the screen, it would help to those that really like this channel but dont have english as they first language, love your work guys

[@debug9424]

It will also help the more visual folks out there

[@Robin_Nixon]

"Like most elements, it's really quite interesting". This makes me wonder: is there a really boring element - or perhaps a least interesting one?

[@pascal9527]

Protactinium.

[@EPMTUNES]

Robin Nixon most radioactive ones are pretty similar. But that’s just my opinion

[@FreezerX89]

He once said that noble gases and some noble metals are boring, because they don't like to react.

[@mitch19636]

Boron?

[@channelVlogger]

Robin Nixon Neon and most elements behind Plutonium are boring.

[@griffinlady]

I work with ceramics, Cobalt Carbonate and Cobalt Oxide are my favorite elements in my glaze color palette. Thank you for the videos! I love them.

[@tmfan3888]

griffinlady y is Co2+ red but CoSixOy blue?

[@drflash36]

Co silicate & aluminate are the cobalt salts usually used to color glass & ceramics. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt (4th paragraph) for details.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Cobalt paint so expensive but the teal/cyan is greatand unusually for pigments is not reproducable on a computer due to being so saturated and when RBG 255 was made apparently they thought no one would care if cyan was a bit dull. But no idea which chemical.

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

The chemistry of cobalt is worth understanding I think, but possibly not if you're an artist: you create what you can see visually.

[@DasDieDerErik]

Could you please, for future episodes, show us the equation of the shown reaction? I know that chemistry can be really beautiful to look at, especially with macro shots of the percibitation of colourful salts, but I'd like to be able to comprehend the process taking place in the test tube. Maybe you could arrange them like subtitles or something. As always a pleasure to watch though.

[@red-baitingswine8816]

Yes! Also more about the color chem of the intermediate for CoCl2 -> CoOH2

[@danardalin]

I dealt with cobalt glass beads for a long time when I was a teenager working with a bead trader. The real ones, always old now, are very expensive and highly sought after. I've seen stands of 24 beads go for hundreds of dollars US. The blue of those beads are unmatched by any modern made, non-cobalt blue bead. Loved learning more about the element. Makes me wish I still had some of those beads. Keep up the great videos!

[@ontheheath]

That's such a sweet reaction from PSMP (Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff) when you teased him. I love how fond you are of each other. Beautiful video; really liked the music as well, nicely suited.

[@gauravmanwani9148]

In India we have to memorize the colors of more than 150 salts for the IITJEE Exam, without ever actually seeing them! You are a good man, Brady. Thanks so much!

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

Wow, that's impressive, sounds like a very high standard!

[@rvure]

Nino Nieman It’s impressive for sure, but imo pure memorization shouldn’t be considered as a high standard for chemistry.

[@AurisMochi]

yeah man i never actually knew cobalt formed blue colour but still studied it

[@houtansadeghi]

Do u still remember most of the colors.

[@UpcycleElectronics]

8:58 "So..um.. This is Neal's new device. It's a very very fancy erection..." I died laughing. Thanks for slipping that one in. -Jake

[@amiralozse1781]

same to me! had to listen a couple of times to make sure i got it right

[@crocosnz3322]

"Did you buy it in the 19th Century" Geez Brady, he's not THAT old.

[@tornadokat]

In all the videos from Periodic Tables this was the first time I heard him mention *why* colors change in chemical reactions. I had often wondered why. Thank you. It still seems like magic when you think about how fast an electron can circle a nucleus, or its spin, or the spin of a nucleus itself. Just to look at any object and think about all those molecules and what's happening in each one of them is amazing.

[@_whacky]

this is so handy for chemistry at school THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST CHEMISTRY VIDEOS ON KZbin!

[@rayoflight62]

High voltage transformers which are insulated with oil (in power stations) have these little indicators made with cobalt chloride - when it turns pink it means there is water in the oil; so the oil is losing its dielectric properties and the transformer needs to be replaced before it blows up. Nowadays we use cheaper ceramic high voltage transformers in many applications. I used cobalt chloride to make the best possible invisible ink. Nice to see you Prof. Poliakoff! Wish you all the best...

[@dansvec5411]

Love your videos! I watched the one about the graphite from the first reactor and recognized it immediately. My father had one just like it. He was a chemistry professor at Iowa State University and worked on the Manhattan project making metallic uranium using some variation of a thermite reaction. His professor was head of the project and passed it on to my father late in life. You remind me of him, please keep doing what you do! -Dan Svec

[@maxhawkblues1723]

Videos such as this make me want to study chemistry after my current education is completed, thank you very much! The explanation and time lapsed footage with backing music is calming and pretty

[@positivegradient]

I always loved Physics and Maths and Chemistry not so much, but I am sure loving these outstanding videos. This "element profile" series deserves the highest praise.

[@secretsquirrel4375]

I was just working with cobalt-60 in my lab 2 days ago. It’s one of the most important isotopes of Cobalt. It’s commonly found in nuclear power reactors. We can detect leakage by looking for its distinct spectra when it beta- decays to nickel-60.

[@bengriffin4027]

SecretSquirrel Detecting Co-60 is usually via the two strong subsequent gammas from the excited state of Ni-60 after Co-60 beta decays. The gammas are so much more powerful and penetrating than the beta. Co-60 confirmation evidence could be possible looking at the spectrum for its beta decay, but typically not detection. Also, as if the previous correction didn't seem pedantic enough, co-60 isn't so much found in power reactor as it is produced in reactors at power. Old reactors co-59 alloyed in the steel which in a neutron flux yeilds some co-60. Modern reactors avoid using cobalt in alloys. co-60 is still produced albeit at a much reduced rate in neutron irradiated steel by multiple neutron captures by iron.

[@mikew1332]

Brady, this is really beautiful photography, both in the stills and in the video. Nicely done and thank you!

[@MLarios97]

Yes thank him for making money

[@patdohrety2940]

This man is talking way above my head, but I still love the videos! Thank you for making chemistry make sense for people who don't know chemistry professor!

[@logicreason2736]

Ever time you talk, I learn something new. Thank you.

[@Lightning_Lance]

"Did you buy it in the 19th century?" Savage, Brady. Savage.

[@Dr_V]

Oh yes, cyancobalamin, a.k.a. B12 vitamin, a.k.a. the nightmare of first year med students. We were forced to memorize the entire structure of this rather large molecule and to this day, after 15 years of medical practice, I'm yet to find a practical application for that knowledge...

[@MCNarret]

Because B12 is the most important vitamin and that knowledge goes above all other possible alternatives, ALL MUST KNOW VITAMIN B12!

[@christianvn1]

Having to memorize the structure of such a large compound is what I would consider some form of punishment rather than education.

[@OOZ662]

christianvn1 That sums up a pretty decent percentage of American primary and secondary school curriculum. And if you fail to memorize it, you keep trying while the rest of the class moves on to learn new things.

[@IkeofCrimea]

Weeds out the ones who won't put forth the effort to do it

[@666Tomato666]

what? next you'll say that knowing that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell is unimportant?!

[@frognik79]

Can you do a video of Neil and his job? How he got there? Is he a professor or just a helper?

[@JustOneAsbesto]

He's just Neil.

[@madLphnt]

hes the technician there so equipment, lab supplies, setting up reactions and im sure a thousand other things.

[@csatterley]

Neil is a technician. He makes sure all the equipment in the physical chemistry research section at Nottingham keeps working and that new equipment is set up properly.

[@ashleyteece4237]

Name: Neil Job Title: Neil Job description: Do things Neil does

[@Mekratrig]

Nobody is quite sure where Neil came from, or what his official job title or duties are. He seems to have always been there. Best not to ask such things. The one thing ervryone is certain of, you don't want to make Neil angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry...

[@MrHeroicDemon]

This video is one of my favorites. Just phenomenal.

[@petejt]

This is so cool, especially the last half! Excellent explanations Martyn! Thank you!

[@3800S1]

Absolutely brilliant colours. I get a feeling of nostalgia for some reason seeing that vivid blue.

[@tinyderppotato5410]

it was very popular in the 90's, a lot of glass (and plastic) had that colour

[@ChenkoTheDog]

Good to see you keeping your office tidy Sir.

[@momof2wifeof179]

Cobalt is one of the four elements with magnetic powers. It gets its name from the German word for goblin. That's because medieval German miners kept digging up what they thought was silver-- only to find it was cobalt! Cobalt chloride keeps up the cobalt brand of trickery as invisible ink. Nowadays, cobalt helps make superalloys that can take extreme temperatures in jet engines.

[@andreiradu1945]

Every time I'm watching this guy, I feel a little smarter but in reality this feeling comes from his ability to explain with simple words for a peasant like me.

[@Xe4ro]

Oh Brady. You made the Prof feel old for a second there ( 1:01) … :

[@davidevans3974]

Fascinating videos, thank you so much for posting them

[@superman9693]

7:49 He is talking about Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in case somebody wanted to know😉

[@corpsiecorpsie_the_original]

I want to know how to do it at home safely

[@ANTSEMUT1]

@@corpsiecorpsie_the_original lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@Shane_Raw]

This man is the epitome of what I expect a scientist to look like! Excellent informative video

[@System32F]

I always get excited when I see a new video from you guys XD

[@CharmEng89]

Loving these close up shots of the reactions with the fancy music! Would be awesome to see more of them incorporated into the videos.

[@joebaumgart1146]

How I learned to stop worrying and love the Periodic Videos!

[@veratek1]

Cmon, with his wonderful hair, glasses, and features, this guy has the quintessential look of a chemistry professor of all times. It can't get more perfect.

[@abteentajdin8877]

This has been one of the most fascinating videos I've seen in awhile thank you Brady and thank you Professor for creating this wonderful video , keep up the amazing work that you are doing can't wait for the next video , ps : greetings and salutation from Iran

[@Danistotallyawesome]

Stunning visuals Brady fantastic video.

[@jonathanturek5846]

We love you Doc ! Thank you for all your wonderful vids

[@nitesh_nickz5810]

I don't understand peoples who dislike these kind of awesome videos ~ it is really helpful to understand for everyone not just kids~

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

"We were so excited to do this, that the first time we didn't do it very well". It's great that these two old professionals still get excited every time they do an experiment. Not many people get to say that.

[@dukecity7688]

If I watch this again I might actually understand what he said. He was born to teach this subject. This is a gift .

[@JBLewis]

The high-speed camera shots are beautiful!

[@MrKclo42112]

thank you so much ,that was really nice , I've always been fascinated with the quantum theory of light, and the way cobalt and gold color glass in unexpected ways , I would love to see this explained with gold and its deep red color .thank you for keeping up with the videos .as usual they are precise and informative

[@scottmantooth8785]

these videos are always amazing

[@leplum2001]

Excellent video Martyn.

[@markhenderson9778]

Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@thegreatestjose]

What a well done video!

[@jasonstokes5469]

Thanks for another great video!

[@countyfacts6920]

One of your prettiest videos thank you!

[@medcologytutorials2636]

Yay early squad 😎 always a pleasure to see dr.poliokoff and every time I see pereodic table videos my passion for science and research gets kindled and increased.😊😇🔬🔭🎆🎇😎

[@DanielSMatthews]

One of my favourite elements, ever since I studied the inorganic chemistry of ceramics as a teenager.

[@didgitalpunk]

like the music, keep up the great job!

[@AWSAM335]

Alnico (Aluminium, Nickel & Cobalt Alloy) electric guitar pickups are still very popular and regarded by many as having a nicer sound than the more modern ceramic magnet pickups

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

He said that now there are stronger magnets, but are the weaker ones that give us the tone we like.

[@thelowmein9143]

So don’t eat my Texas Specials got it, lol.

[@oooooooooorly]

Also important to note that cobalt finds use in all sorts of heat-resistant alloys. Bits made to machine hard materials, whether made of steel or sintered carbide, all have cobalt in them.

[@SwarthyPlinker]

These videos are fascinating.

[@dirtrockground4543]

Having the professor narrate the Cobalt Chloride reaction in Sodium Hydroxide as a time-lapse of the reaction played with soft piano music in the background felt very "science documentary" in a very satisfying way.

[@DrRich-mw4hu]

Love these videos!!!!! Thank you so much

[@jacobkemp1183]

He inspires many, I'm a school drop out in 1998 turned Earthworks manager in 2020, watch the professors videos most nights, find his videos quite interesting 🤔

[@crispincain5373]

Beautiful!! Thank you!

[@Thecanadianwitch]

i always love watching your videos

[@TiborRoussou]

At 3:17, the molten sample, being a royal blue in color, reminds me of the Azulene cyrstals I synthesized back in my undergraduate studies :)

[@Chalseu___]

So beautiful and very satisfying to watch

[@Mekratrig]

A Neil sighting! He really does exist!

[@subwaytrainy4136]

The best professor ever ❤️

[@nixdorfbrazil]

Great video!

[@tmfan3888]

i was having a lecture about Co stuff 2day and then notif 4 this vid just pop up on my phone coincidentally! how cool is that!!

[@nischalhooda6377]

This is a beautiful video

[@Stinkymens]

I have never been interested in chemistry until seeing professors enthusiasm for it

[@MLarios97]

Yes base your interests on another dude's. Thats gonna get you far in life

[@rdo1231]

loved this!

[@Russianbro777]

I love Cobalt! I also love this channel and have pure Cobalt.

[@TiberiumMineral]

Probably wont see it but, Would it be possible to do a video on the boogy man of the superacids; Fluoroantimonic Acid? Other than some very basic information on it there's not much widely known information about it other than it is ridiculously corrosive and can react very violently with very basic things like water.

[@ct92404]

Mix it with sodium hydroxide and let the fun really begin.

[@yogevbocher3603]

A long time ago two goblins lived in Old Saxony: Kobold and Nickel. Their occupation was to mine for precious metals and to scare people in their free time ;-)

[@grantbitman1448]

The story I heard was that when Kobold turned 60, he began to decay (half of him every 5 years); and when he was finished, he became Nickel.

[@vxcvbzn]

Truly beautiful reactions...

[@scotts918]

Haha, that cheeky grin when he was asked if he bought it in the 19th century :D

[@gravedigger301]

Great video I really enjoy watching this chanel :)

[@martijnheeroma5492]

Thank you Professor.

[@MrDarkness331]

love these slow motion reactions...

[@Abitibidoug]

There's a town in Ontario named after this element. It got that name because prospectors found cobalt there in the early 20th century. Then silver was found, a silver mining boom followed, and the cobalt was largely forgotten. Now, with demand for cobalt expected to increase going forward there could be another mining boom for, you guessed it, cobalt.

[@bruinflight1]

Yay new video!!!

[@benjaminmcintosh857]

Some very nice filming here, Brady

[@hk78901]

That old people joke was uncalled for Brady Haran haha

[@chilling_at_pontiff]

I cant wait to see what the next elements are

[@WillEnglandComposer]

Beautiful music in this video:

[@MrPirax]

Nice slow motions, really like those. Maybe add more lighting when doing those shots though, to make them even nicer.

[@deafmusician2]

I DO believe the ending is among the first times I've heard the word "erection" and not suppressed a childlike giggle.

[@cipixlock]

i love this channel

[@pietrotettamanti7239]

Beautiful!

[@Neffers_UK]

I remember a dye / ink at school called "Cobalt Blue", it was brilliant stuff. It came in brown medicine type bottles (the label was always messed up by it), it wasn't washed out like fountain pen ink, it was blue all the way to the edge. Incredibly indelible.

[@nikhillrao3799]

also incredibly inedible

[@cellogirl11rw55]

Everyone! What's your favorite element and why? My favorite element is lithium because it has helped me immensely with my Bipolar Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. Additionally, lithium can be used for many different things, from batteries to pyrotechnics.

[@rafaelxd230293]

Amazing!

[@aymankharbutli8515]

We did this at school. Dynamic equilibrium showing reversibility. Another very nice reaction accompanied with a sudden change in colour is the reaction between iron (ii) nitrate and potassium thiocyanate to form iron(ii) thiocyanate complex ion.

[@markselzler9744]

I remember they use it in resin for fiberglassing boats and car's. It helps it turn into a solid from what I remember. I hadn't realized that it was used for many different things. Very interesting

[@adrhod7330]

Amazing!!