The explosive history of hydrogen - with Andrew Szydlo

Ri favourite and top demonstrator Andrew Szydlo takes us on a whistle-stop tour of this reactive gas, originally called 'flammable air', recreating some long-lost experiments along the way.
Hydrogen is the lightest element on the periodic table, discovered in 1766, with each atom containing only a proton and an electron and nothing more. And yet it is also one of the most reactive, capable of creating giant fireballs and deafening explosions.
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This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 26 November 2022.
Andrew Szydlo is a chemist and secondary school teacher at Highgate School, well-loved by pupils and Ri attendees alike. He has given public lectures around the country, been featured on TV shows and has become a popular part of the Ri's KZbin channel in recent years, where his videos have over 16 million views in total.
When Andrew started giving chemistry lessons to friends some 50 years ago, he would bring a pocket-full of chemicals to illustrate the principles of chemistry.
Today, these chemistry lessons have evolved into demonstration lectures which he gives to audiences in a wide variety of locations. During the past 40 years he has given over 500 talks, in addition to teaching chemistry full-time at Highgate School in London. Today he is still based at Highgate School, delivering chemistry lectures to local schools.
The Royal Society of Chemistry included Andrew as one of their 175 Faces of Chemistry.
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[@plasmaburndeath]

Professor Szydlo is one of our favorite guests, and he is a treasure.

[@robert8124]

Yah,, He's better than Bill Nye the science guy...lol... but for adult more...lol....

[@enoeht5519]

Agreed🤓

[@MrBassbump]

I love individuals who can make learning fun. This man is a great example of what a teacher sounds like. 🤘

[@tncorgi92]

I love his lectures and demonstrations, he's so enthusiastic and barely pauses for breath! I nearly missed this one even though I'm a subscriber because I didn't have notifications set properly!

[@robert8124]

Sorry, it should be "AS" good. My apologies Dr. Nye...

[@ericlondon5731]

He is like a kindly grandfather who has patience for his kids. I wish my science teachers had been that good.

[@Szlater]

The greatest science teacher in the world, the best lectures on this channel….it must be Christmas!

[@lukemason9340]

A

[@ex1tium]

I saw one of Mr. Szydlos chemistry demonstration over 10 years ago on KZbin. I'm glad he is doing well and is as enthusiastic as always.

[@mind.island]

me too

[@mattyoh1358]

One of the things that always impresses me about Dr. Szydlo's lectures is how he's able to speak without pause for over an hour with such confidence and enthusiasm about his topics, barely pausing to take a breath. All while performing visually exciting practical experiments too! He's really a master of the craft in these.

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

This guy is a global treasure. If more could be so enthusiastic about what they teach, imagine how many more would be enthusiastic about learning

[@princessrashidart]

Agreed!

[@unhott1893]

I love when people are really excited or applaud and he yells "No, no! I have done nothing special, this is not worthy!"

[@keithyinger3326]

I love Professor Szydlo's enthusiasm for chemistry. Whenever I get bored and there's nothing else on to watch these Christmas lectures are always my go-to. Stay well Professor, from Washington, USA.

[@wolfwood7219]

Never in my wildness dreams did i think growing up that i could witness demonstrations at the Royal Institution. The world has changed so much from when i went to school and its incredible. I can only hope people are curious enough to pursue knowledge and smart enough to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available. Professor Szydlo is truly a gem.

[@sciencenerd7639]

Super happy to see a new video with Mr. Szydlo! Thanks!

[@keithklassen5320]

If this delightful man could be multiplied, no student of science would ever be bored.

[@CelticSaint]

They certainly wouldn't be able to get a word in!

[@juanmigueloctaviano6736]

Another brilliant lecture by Andrew Szydlo. I love how he is an expert at mixing such volatile compounds as science and the performing arts.

[@Deludedcrackhead]

I had a chemistry teacher in the 90's who was akin to Andrew. I'm forever grateful that people like this have such an engaging style to teach us all. This is what teachers should be!

[@solotrotrotro2530]

the best chemical science educator of the world, perhaps of all history.Its an honor to watch you , live long Mr Szydlo!

[@projectiot8345]

Mr. Andrew is the best chemistry teacher, I see every RI video but I like Sir Andrew's video even without seeing because I know it will be good

[@wobuzhidaoification]

This guy is great. He has a calm urgency in how he explains everything. I'm following everything and am keep interested by his pace.

[@cliveomahoney4096]

Utterly fabulous. For any age. What a great communicator!

[@johnbuyers8095]

Whenever I see Andrew Szydlo presenting, I have to watch. This is the true “mad” professor showing kids the wonders of science. Please keep it up, I will watch every time.

[@mynickwaspirated]

Mr.Szydlo sure is a treasure, very entertaining. And a shout-out to Andres, the silent hero of the lecture. 👍

[@Maccer229]

He is the most wonderful science teacher. We are all his dear children ❤️

[@ChristopherJPace]

Andrew Szydlo is my favorite guests of the RI. His passion for science is absolutely remarkable. I love that his faithful assistant, Andres Tretiakov, is also in this production. The "chemistry" (pardon the pun) that these two have amplifies the performance, as always. Bravo!

[@LiborTinka]

If Mr. Szydlo made a four-hour lecture about each individual element of the periodic table, I would make it a mission to see them all. Always mades my day!

[@donCorticosteroid]

This level of enthusiasm and energy, the passion and the danger is the reason why scientists are amazing. Absolutely loved this video, i love this channel and i wish to attend a talk at the Royal Institution at some point in my life.❤

[@RWBHere]

Yay! A new Andrew Szydlo video! 💥🔥🎆 All is well with the world. Thank-you, and all the very best for 2023. 🙂👍

[@satishgupta2658]

Great Britain 🇬🇧 has biggest contribution to fundamental science than any other single country. Love from Nepal 🇳🇵.

[@dannybell926]

The absolute best teacher on this planet this man is

[@AbdiPianoChannel]

This is absolutely a masterpiece. The professor deserves a Nobel prize. I could listen to him for days. Time well spent. Music and science in harmony. Thanks for the up load

[@WX4CB]

LOVE this guy and the Royal Institution in general .... used to sit down as a kid watching the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures​. Still fascinating to 40 years later LOL

[@grahamwilson8843]

This lecture ignites in me a fervent curiosity to continue exploring the depths of the chemical world. Bravo Andrew, and thank you so very much for the enlightening talk.

[@FredStam]

Andrew Szydlo in the RI on KZbin. This is how you make people enthousiastic for science. What a guy....

[@andrewclarke6916]

He's back! What a treat for Christmas.

[@kavorka8855]

Dr. Andrew never stop teaching impressive lectures!

[@nasterbmf]

I'm 41 and love his presentation as much as I did watching Mr. Wizard as a kid!!

[@RoyceFarrell]

What a Treat. A Master Communicator and Professor. Thankyou.

[@SoirEkim]

I wish Professor A. Szydlo was my teacher because he is far more enjoyable and what I learn from him now is more easily committed to memory.

[@ZoonCrypticon]

Professor Szydlo, one of the best science presenters I have seen!

[@patrickmclaren4360]

It would be great to have a teacher who looks like they are having fun teaching,, it would definitely make going to their classes a lot easier

[@noneofyourbizness]

Living proof that teaching is an art.

[@robertlawrence9000]

This man is a treasure to the world! He opens eyes to the reality around us and helps spark minds for great ideas. I always enjoy his presentations. Everyone should watch them.

[@GrimSleepy]

@Andres there are funnels you can 3D print which have grooves on the outside, I find them to allow smoother pouring due to the air permitted to escape through the grooves.

[@ZhongGuoShorts]

This is one of the best if not the greatest video on Ri channel.

[@gepetotube]

Brilliant!!! THANK YOU ANDREW SZYDLO!!!. Science through experimentation. Reminding everybody that science is not only about formulas and abstract things. Walking us through history at a fast pace. Andrew's presentations are some of the best ever. ...oh yeah and it's packed with scientific information.

[@cambridgemart2075]

Andrew Szydlo's enthusiasm for his subject is contagious; his students at Highgate are very lucky! The outro with the choir was wonderful as well, reminds me of when I was 40 years younger and in our school choir (although without the beautiful female voices).

[@mrgrumpy75]

I love watching Andrew. I wish he'd been my science teacher in school!

[@BoB4jjjjs]

He was brilliant, I watched it all again, he was so entertaining. I wish I had teachers like him when I was at school etc. Brilliant man, always flat out and always giving others around him credit. First time I saw this, I was transfixed to the lecture. Never seen anyone like him then, or since. 😎 😃

[@CaptainCheezmo]

I'm always tickled pink when I see an Andrew Szydlo lecture come up.

[@ShevillMathers]

Brilliant-I enjoyed every moment, and during my 85 years have repeated many of the experiments the discoverers made in the sciences. I always preferred the science lab at school to sport. I have enjoyed a life in science- no doubt inspired by teachers with this enthusiasm for the many subjects.

[@Games_and_Music]

Always a pleasure to see him at work, and also nice to see that he can give demonstrations inside the institute again.

[@kenw5104]

23:28 34:50 36:10 39:20 53:24 54:37 55:47 Whoa. Reminds me of my failed titration experiment in my chemistry lab exam 30 years ago. The burette tap was open before the solution was being poured in from the top. And was clueless about why the quick change of colour when I finished pouring. It was like yesterday. :-) Thank you Dr. Szydlo and Ri for organising the demo.

[@vincentanguoni8938]

This is so cool. Who hasn't wondered how the first scientists discovered what we take for granted!

[@abdulkaderalsalhi557]

Very enjoyable fabulous demonstrations .. Thanks to Prof. Szydlo and his team for their effort and skill... Thanks to RI for arranging for this lecture

[@JRH2109]

I clicked on this to check if he'd go for another hour and twenty minutes without taking a breath. I was not disappointed.

[@cptkirkpyro5656]

My favorite presenter by far!

[@cptkirkpyro5656]

@@kazcz yep he is very good as well, I just like the wit of Andrew.

[@mattyoung4336]

Oh how I’ve been waiting for a new appearance from Dr Szydlo 😁 …. Awesome!

[@lvlarihuan0]

It was the best best best lecture I've ever seen. Thank you very much, Mr. Szydlo and your staff.

[@robert8124]

Excellently laid out lecture and demonstrations by Dr. Szydlo and his team. Very interesting and well explained, even for a dumby like me. He's not slow and boring, gets right to the point. You should have him do more lectures and dilth a little deeper.

[@opperhoofdgeilebizon]

What energy, must be treu love of science. For Christmas I wish for every child to meet a teacher like this man.

[@sab85ful]

Professor Szydlo is my new favorite teacher. I just watched his explanation of air fuel mixture in regards to car engines and it was a masterpiece in explanation and entertainment ( not being too wordy or too silly. The perfect blend). 10/10 my fav.

[@88pampa]

As always, impeccable content from the RI! Truly a gem in science education!

[@AnoNymInvestor]

Explosions and Mr. Szydlo-what a wonderrrrful combination! 😂 🔥

[@jonathanvanier]

The man is a national treasure!

[@W-H-O]

I really love this guy's enthusiasm, what a joy to watch.

[@tycannah4271]

Amazing entertaining energy and for anyone to speak flawlessly for 80 minutes without missing a beat was a performance in itself. Reminds me of why I studied chemistry 40 years ago.

[@HunzolEv]

This lecture is so enjoyable and worth to me more than just word knowledge of reading a page for an hour

[@bikkies]

This was wonderful. There's something compelling about an urgent and breathless flood of science while a choir sings in Latin at a row of balloons. I don't think it's possible to be more endearingly mad-scientist than this, and I mean that as the highest compliment. If I'd had educators like this chap when I was at school then I'd have definitely paid more attention, and I may have also remembered more of what I was told.

[@HEVENLYSEVERANCE]

The best in chemistry is back yay

[@cherchoonphang3363]

How I wish my Chemistry lecturer was like him.

[@STali37]

You are my favourite Chemist and my most favourite Teacher , lecturer of my life.

[@SnoopyDoofie]

I picture the two old men in the balcony in The Muppets carrying out these experiments.

[@kanaktiwari2906]

It was amazing . In high school they Should teach like that. Thank you sir Keep coming with such videos

[@TravisLee33]

So such a great lecture/demonstration.

[@narsingojuchaithanyasudha6478]

We love you sir your explanations are the finest ! Love from India 🇮🇳

[@gabrielenanni9171]

Wow, just extraordinary! His ability to explain and do science at the same time is brilliant!

[@jerrysanchez5453]

Man I have waited a long time for another video with mr.andrew In it

[@paololabianco8273]

An incredible teaching and sympathy talent

[@danieljakubik3428]

Teaching chemistry with enthusiasm!

[@naledikutumela1636]

Let me get comfortable and enjoy the show😁

[@markhonea2461]

In modern times the availability of aluminum gives us a far easier method of creating hydrogen. Sodium hydroxide, an extreme base, reacts with aluminum and water to do that task.

[@colonelkurtz2269]

Albert Einstein made contributions to physics. His brother Frank made well he made a monster. 😆

[@steveholder7289]

That was a lot of fun! Thanks Prof. Szydlo!

[@Kwstr42]

so happy to see another presentation from my favorite chemist

[@profiskipinternational4402]

Wowh ... what a grand finale ... and get remembered school lectures in the 70s and 80s by a highly enthusiastic, passionate, energetic master of teaching skills. Tks the internet every child can get the access to the fascinating world of sciences. This lecture by sure belongs to the pinnacle abt the fundamental principles of modern sciences. 👍🙂Tks, Professor, his team and for the upload.

[@CosmicAliveness]

Yesss the waiting has ended. Andrew yesss Absolutely amazing the man!!!. Keep equating u are on your own level!!! Amazing Absolutely keeping on keeping on please magic chemistry. IDOL

[@ironhead2008]

Take note prospective science teachers - this is how you get and keep their attention.

[@djisydneyaustralia]

Andrew is the best! He brings alot of excitement to chemistry... He speaks in a way that appeals to children and adults alike.

[@aboodymahdy]

Prof, I'm happy to see you again! 🤩

[@mahmoudabuzamel7038]

Thank you sir, I now know that I need to go back to school.

[@Yamazaki339]

Andrew Szydlo is brillians scientst! 😍

[@rodriguezelfeliz4623]

That was a wierd ending Loved it

[@jeremiahramirez8915]

I love how excited he is in all of these videos, also like how he isn't trying to be funny. If he says something funny then it's just that he doesn't try to seem more "human" by constantly cracking jokes.

[@cayezara8110]

Very deep and conceptual lecture and demonstration. Amazing!!!❤🙏

[@Asaeax]

I am very happy to be able to witness exquisite and most fun lecturers like Sir. :)

[@Asaeax]

Ok, that’s it, i’m not just happy, but i’m like jumping out of joy from the inside

[@sohamsuke]

Thank you all involved in it, and , Science.

[@martinda7446]

Dear Professor, you have elevated the term, 'nutty professor' to new heights. I hope you don't mind me saying so. You have given me and thousands of others a real insight into the wonders of science and chemistry with truly wonderful entertainment for decades and I thank you.

[@TechGorilla1987]

This man is lovely and chaotic. I enjoy this immensely.

[@HenriqueCSJ]

What a delight!

[@Slarti]

Wonderful, the musical piece at the end was lovely too.

[@mrdeathgaming1457]

100 000 000 more Szydlo's required please!

[@chrisingle5839]

I especially enjoyed the short concert at the end!

[@Name-js5uq]

Just absolutely incredible to be able to watch this brilliant mind explaining science and physics 👏, loved every minute of it, ❤️.