Tungsten (new) - Periodic Table of Videos

We have a new epic video about Tungsten. More links and info in full description ↓↓↓
To learn more about the technicians website we mentioned, see www.technicians.org.uk
This video features Professor Martyn Poliakoff, Neil Barnes and Alex Kibler. It was filmed, edited and produced by Brady Haran.
Thanks to Midwest Tungsten Service for the cube of Tungsten which now sits proudly in Neil's office - shop.tungsten.com/tungsten-cube/
Videos on all 118 elements: bit.ly/118elements
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
This episode was also generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
Periodic Videos films are by video journalist Brady Haran: www.bradyharan.com/
Brady's Blog: www.bradyharanblog.com
Join Brady's mailing list for updates and extra stuff --- eepurl.com/YdjL9

[@jackedrussell]

Wow, Professor Martyn hasn't aged at all in 15+ years.

[@user-yl4uw2tw7o]

..yes

[@BEM684]

Because he did it all in the first 40 years of life lol

[@stasiekpiekarski]

Not too metion thank goodness he'll never mature😊

[@TheDriller-Killer]

Poliakofium is a very stable element, even when it's regularly seen in its excited state 😂😂😂

[@weedmanwestvancouverbc9266]

I thought I saw a portrait of Dorian Gray hanging in his office once years ago

[@EnmaDarei]

I've always appreciated how much the professor recognizes Neil's skill and work and how much he tries to get everyone else to understand how important he is.

[@sparky6086]

Neil is to Professor Martyn, as Jim is to Marlin Perkins on "Wild Kingdom".

[@theodionne9370]

I really wish more professors were exactly like this. Dr. Poliakoff is one of a kind :))

[@SeanBZA]

Neil is as important as the prof, simply because he puts the thoughts into physical reality, and as he has been doing this for a few years the skill and thought is great, and equal in the education of any of the students, who after all have to have practical application of chemistry to grasp the concepts, and to see just how and why things act like they do, both in theory, and that theory and practise agree. Otherwise this is not Chemistry, but Philosophy, where there is no actual confirmation, other than belief, that the conjectures are correct.

[@EnmaDarei]

@@SeanBZA I agree, that's why I appreciate it. I think technicians don't usually get the credit they deserve.

[@Zz.animes]

​@@sparky60861

[@backwashjoe7864]

"Neil wanted something more spectacular." The opening sentence in every OSHA report at Nottingham. :)

[@AdamBechtol]

:p

[@TesterAnimal1]

Every HSE report. We’re not a US state.

[@Strenuous1033]

I thought the UK was part of the US.

[@thundersheild926]

​​@@Strenuous1033 you got it backwards, the US is part of the UK

[@huntersedlacek7495]

@@thundersheild926 And they are both part of Austria.🇦🇹🫡

[@Joerogainelovesballs]

“Neil is obsessed by size. He was amazed how small it was” -The Professor (2024)

[@KanishQQuotes]

Don't go there We are trying to keep it educational for children

[@Joerogainelovesballs]

@@KanishQQuotes “We are trying to keep it educational for children” -KanishQ

[@4Gehe2]

@@KanishQQuotes Every kid has a phone and internet access nowadays... It isn't like they haven't been corrupted. Every kid since late milennial has been corrupted by internet. Granted when I was a kid (a late milennial) internet was even more of a wild west of... well... everything that was awful. So I guess corporisation of internet has had some "benefit".

[@YT-AleX-1337]

@@KanishQQuotes Nah kids don't watch this they don't have the necessary attention span (iPad kids or not, kids have less attention than teens and adults)

[@gustavgnoettgen]

This sounds like a George Lucas sw line.

[@NathanaelNewton]

22 minute video about tungsten!? That's a W

[@davidg3944]

Booooo!

[@dielaughing73]

WooooW

[@sarashaw3625]

I think they mean that is a Wrap!

[@huntersedlacek7495]

😮

[@yetanotherjohn]

"If you're ever swimming in mercury, use a molybdenum life jacket." xD

[@urishima]

The old pathfinder motto: Always be prepared.

[@dhimankalita14]

Don't need life jacket as you will float anyway😅

[@CatNolara]

But only if your body is made of tungsten

[@zyeborm]

I'll take a steel life jacket thanks. I'm a bit on the heavy side, I could do with the extra boyancy

[@richardwebb5317]

That mercury on a tripod triggers me.

[@jeffarmstrong1308]

As a retired technician myself I always appreciated getting some acknowledgment of my skills but it happened far too little during my 30 years working life. So it is gratifying to have someone of Professor Poliakoff's standing acknowledge our work.

[@Aussiesnrg]

I wish to acknowledge your efforts and contribution to humanity over the 30 years (and likely more) of your working life. Hats off to you!

[@j.b.4090]

As someone who worked a few years in a lab as a student, I have massive respect for the technicians. Im my opinion you guys are the true heroes of science. Whenever I had any question or a problem I could not solve, the lab techs were the ones who found a solution

[@newportshapwick]

The unsung hero’s of the science/technology world!

[@Sprionk]

As an experimental physicist, it blows my mind how many people in the sciences don't realise just how integral a technician is to the successful running of a lab, and deserve far more respect than they often receive.

[@BackYardScience2000]

I worked as a lab tech for years in the polymers industry and we were certainly looked over in terms of credit for the things that we had to do. Thank you, Neil. For all that you do for not just these videos, but for science and the university and everything else. We appreciate you.

[@Lolwutdesu9000]

In my time during research, I started to believe that technicians had a better understanding of chemistry than some of the doctors/professors. Difference between knowledge and experience, I guess!

[@Christopher.Marshall]

​@Lolwutdesu9000 many professors that are PIs stop doing experiments and bench chemistry once they start their own research group. They focus on other things like keeping up with the modern chemistry literature and grant writing. Their lab skills atrophy, but often they are very well read in the literature, which is necessary to be a great chemist.

[@SuiLagadema]

I don't know why but, even if I've never heard Neil speak, I picture him as a child in a candy store when he does experiments, like, on the outside, he looks completely professional and composed, but on the inside, there's this kid that's super jumping with joy every time he gets to do experiments.

[@clivematthews95]

Same 😄

[@Aussiesnrg]

I concur!

[@speelydan]

There's one video - just one - where you hear his voice unaltered. It's very old. I think it's the first Hydrogen video from like a decade and a half ago. Go find it. The man has A VOICE. I'm a straight guy and I still melt a little bit. We have been sorely deprived ever since.

[@jupa7166]

That's what science is about - to never cease to be amazed and then ask&think. Inner child is useful in science.

[@EhrenLoudermilk]

Neil sounds like a bottle of Jack Daniels had a baby with a Pack of Camels

[@Bunnysinger]

Appreciation comment for Neil and all the technicians out there!

[@periodicvideos]

Good stuff

[@JasonP6339]

I hope the young kids watching these videos understand just how incredibly lucky we are that the professor is still working and still healthy and that they can go back and watch a decade and a half worth of videos! That is a gift that will be timeless and given freely to the entire world!

[@kazoohero93]

Thank you from all the Technicians. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more recognized than watching the end of this video

[@-sciencetv]

isopropanol was mentioned. Ever considered doing videos on alcohol? Ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol , and whatever others. It'd be interesting to see where a lab might prefer one to the others for specific experiments.

[@jeffspaulding9834]

You guys have always done a good job of showing Neil as a critical member of your team. That's one of the things I like about this channel.

[@davidpescod7573]

Many thanks Professor Martyn and Neil and Brady for a truly fascinating exploration of tungsten’s properties. The demonstrations were magnificent. I had to laugh out load when the professor commented that after a year the university’s suppliers were unable to supply powdered tungsten but when ordered on Amazon it arrived within a couple of days. Surely herein lies a tale!

[@cleanerben9636]

Same here. Three weeks for a filter for the wet and dry vac at work, Amazon pack of 5 came next day. Boggles my mind.

[@wikewawa]

Lots of Amazon stuff comes from China

[@simonlb24]

Nice to see a call out for Neil for the work he did in helping make this video. All to often, lab techs are overlooked but the knowledge and experience they possess from years of working in the labs makes them an invaluable resource that should be appreciated much more. Great video too. 👍

[@flamencoprof]

Thanks for the shout-out to technicians. It made me realise that probably why I am watching this is because at school in the mid-sixties I was a lab monitor for a while, then my first job was as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, where we did the tests, and differentiated ourselves from the Technicians, who maintained the equipment, then later worked for decades as a Telephone Exchange Technician, which I enjoyed. Always Safety First.

[@Rincypoopoo]

As an ex technician that made me feel very happy and warm inside. Nice one Mr P !

[@VincentGroenewold]

I worked as a technician and am always surprised how under recognized the profession is. That said, there is a huge variation in what technicians do and are able to do, I was basically a postdoc working as a technician. :) Just was never interested in the higher position as I wanted to work in science all my life (didn't happen in the end, but long enough). In space, technicians would be extremely valuable as well, there's a way larger pool to choose from then just university grads.

[@speelydan]

I was a Lab Technician in a... ahem.... "third-party-high-voltage-electrical-insulation-systems-and-electrical-insulation-materials-laboratory".... .......and you are still a few thousand percent correct. Plus-or-minus .001%.

[@brandonobaza8610]

Chemistry is the world's most valuable form of "screwing around."

[@jasonpfeilsticker5692]

When I worked at a tech I absolutely felt undervalued. Its nice to hear praise.

[@flared9921]

The lab technicians for the lab I work in are the best, helped me get sorted when I developed a sensitivity to the nitrile gloves in our lab

[@rustymotor]

Lovely that Technicians finally get recognised for their work and expertise, always working hard in the background with little acknowledgment. They do play an important role in supporting industry and institutions such as medical facilities and educational establishments, looking forward to visiting the Science museum if I ever get to London!

[@AnonNopleb]

Neil is a real hero. I am very impressed how he did not give up those experiments. It sometimes takes quite a lot of experience and intuition to make an experiment work if it doesn't, which parameters to change and probably most importantly, when to decide to stop, a.k.a "that's as good as it gets."

[@peehandshihtzu]

As a technician of 20+ years I'm always touched when the professors give us a nod. Happy to be here sir, happy to be here! :)

[@miinyoo]

I have seen every one of these dozens of times. After watching one, KZbin feels the need to auto play them all and I really don't mind. They're all fun.

[@slowbro1337]

I'm so happy to see a new upload. It feels like it's been forever

[@milosterminator29871]

I love You Mr.Martyn Poliakoff,You are The Greatest lecturer of All time .❤

[@thend4427]

Look who randomly decided to upload

[@foryoutube8568]

.

[@iplaylol25]

Is it random to do research and upload it?

[@andre416]

You could say. He posts “periodically” *badum tss*

[@maolcogi]

I love when I recognize a property of one of these elements when you show something like that thinned wire at 12:55. My brain just went "Yeah that's like how light bulbs get dark over time, because the tungsten evaporates as it heats up, then it applies a thin coating on the inside of the bulb." I'm not a scientist, and only did a few chemistry courses in college, but man do I love this stuff! :D

[@OvidiuHretcanu]

2:09 ... how can you not love our good professor?!

[@karhukivi]

The principal ore of tungsten, (scheelite) is calcium tungstate and it is fluorescent blue-white under short-wave UV light, which is one of the methods of prospecting for it. Scheelite is dense and can be panned from stream gravels like gold, in many places where granites are present (e.g. Cornwall, UK) but it is white and looks like feldspar, so the UV lamp is essential.

[@network_king]

I saw this and decided had to watch it. My dad is a retired chemistry instructor, I have always been into electronics. I'm taking a TIG welding class this spring it's interesting how much chemistry and electronics are involved in welding. They use tungsten in TIG because high melting point and it conducts decently. It used to seem strange to me people talked about AC VS DC and different polarity for welding I didn't see as far as electrically why it mattered, but whatever is positive in DC has more heat put into it. Aluminum they use AC the negative tip cycle welds the aluminum and the positive cycle cleans the oxide off but also melts the tungsten. Stainless is also interesting as have to be careful with the heat or will burn out the chrome. Even the filler materials are different to add cleaning, help with welding overhead, etc. It would be cool see like a mini playlist of chemistry of welding.

[@TThomas-si7yn]

We all adore you, Professor !! ... and we do also love Neil. The dynamic duo of chemistry! Irreplaceable, both of you. Love, from America

[@micahphilson]

Sir Martyn Poliakoff really is a gift to this world! And Neil is right there with him.

[@JohnMichaelson]

I have one request if either you decide to end the PToV series, or if Neil retires, and it's that you do an interview or retrospective with him if he's willing. We all appreciate what he does and I'd love to hear his thoughts about his time doing the vids and at Nottingham. Thanks!

[@AuTo69420]

I'd love to see more of these, even including guides on identification through chemical and physical reaction

[@-NGC-6302-]

The thinning of the tungsten wire is a trick I've seen before, when Ben at Applied Science (I think it was him) was making gecko tape. The intention was to sharpen a bundle of wires and repeatedly poke them into a wax mold for the silicone. I wasn't a great method if I remember right, but still a cool idea.

[@jaredf6205]

I’ve been buying blocks of tungsten for 8 years. I’m obsessed lol. It really feels like something is wrong with gravity, especially with a large piece. I like buying the small half inch blocks to play around with.

[@benjaminvogt5544]

I love this Channel so much. I’m doing all my university studies within the environmental science realm, but your videos have always peaked my interest. You have always been there, even when youtube seemed like it had nothing to offer.

[@Botchedtoeknife]

If I would’ve had this man in my life at an early age I would’ve been a completely different person… the way he talks about chemistry makes it so easy to follow and understand

[@renownedfear187]

Good to see this guy is still kicking & looking same as when I 1st found the channel. Like along time ago

[@WAMTAT]

All the chemicals have made him immortal

[@Stjaernljus]

it being named tungsten(swedish for heavy stone), but swedish uses the german name for the element. is a bit silly.

[@koba_Lyle]

Well hey if they are gonna use their words, then they are gonna use their words back. -Theo Von

[@gnyrinn]

It would be confusing if the Norsemen would use 'tungsten'. "Sven: We figured out that those heavy stones had some heavystone ore, but did you calculate how much heavystone was in the heavy stones?"

[@Thoran666]

@@gnyrinn Sounds completely fine to me, just listen to any of the shorts from Ólafur Waage

[@lajoswinkler]

Nearly whole world says wolfram. It was a battle of the element names between USA and rest of the world (as usual).

[@aloe7794]

tungsten as for "tough stone", yeah also Poland uses Wolfram as well

[@KadaverKarl]

Wow Professor, here you got me - couldn't resist to buy three cubes on Ebay, Tungsten, Copper, Aluminum - the difference in density is really amazing!

[@kwgm8578]

Love it! A new Periodic Video is always a delight. Thank you very much Brady, Neil, Alex, and Sir Martyn. In my career I have worked as a technician, and as an engineer I've worked with technicians, who are essential to teams involved in science research and innovative product development. I have a great respect for Neil after watching him work in so many of these videos over the years. He's smart, experienced, dedicated, and I enjoy the sense of fun that he brings to the show. Neil is an essential member of the team that creates these great videos. Best regards to you all.😊

[@jasonrr9817]

I'm a machinist, tungsten is my friend and colleague. We've had many successful collaborations.😊

[@topherthe11th23]

10:39 - I live in a part of the world where there are no crocodiles, so we use alligator-clips instead.

[@rileymerson8781]

Thank you so much professor, Neil and to all other parties involved in this video and all others. Your videos will bring interest to chemistry and physics for decades to come. My children eventually will be watching your videos as children. Thank you

[@ZoonCrypticon]

Thank you Professor Poliakoff, thank you Neil and thanks to all the other technicians and employees for these great chemical presentations!

[@cephlo1]

Tungsten litteraly means 'heavy stone' in Swedish.

[@Jacob-Simonsen]

And Danish or Norwegian.

[@cynomyS]

Jaså, säger du det?

[@atvheads]

@@Jacob-Simonsen Hårdmetall på ren Svenska som är min favoritmusik med.

[@scrittle]

Jah I love dah stinky feesh

[@jesperg]

But it is called Volfram in swedish.

[@FotosbyFrankie]

Always enjoy your videos, Professor, Neil and Grady! Thank you all for the great demonstrations!

[@user-me4xf6bp1u]

I really like these videos. The professor is a pretty cool guy. I think he preserved himself with all the elemental materia.

[@DemianX6x6x6X]

always a good day when there is a new periodic video

[@knurled1]

I love the professor, so engaging.

[@spaz_matic]

Some beautiful experiments as always! Thank you, Neil!

[@chrisamaral899]

Thanks for keeping these up to date and fresh!!

[@unistrut]

I have a similar cube from Midwest Tungsten! I actually went and got it to play around with while watching this video. It is fascinating to pick up, at first it feels like it's almost stuck to your desk.

[@mandocool]

Thank you for the updated version! You look great !!

[@dennissato320]

Your channel deserves to be the most watched on all of KZbin! Long life to you!

[@hugoboyce9648]

The reaction with bromine was beautiful!

[@rjung_ch]

Totally agree, thanks to all technicians as well.

[@hovant6666]

I have been waiting for an updated video on Tungsten for years and it's finally here! Best metal

[@slintank]

aww professor Martyn , Neil, and Brady! This is nourishing ☺

[@joseywales6168]

12:00 That is SO COOL, my hypothesis for why the wire formed those wavy lines of oxide is: electricity is a wave of electrons [Watch electricity hit a fork in the road KZbin Video](whether flowing, or vibrating, depending on current type), and as the wave peaks and valleys with increasing amplitude through the wire it will heat/react differently or more with the air in places where the electricity peaks or valleys. A similar thing was probably happening when the voltage was increased slowly as well and i think that I could even see it on the video, but the waves were given time to spread out slowly instead of making extreme highs and lows right away. Wish i could do research like this instead of jobs, but i get to handle tungsten, molybdenum, and even cooler+rarer metals all the time so its pretty awesome

[@jimsvideos7201]

Happy Easter! Thank you as always for the adventure and the education!

[@moyousif2009]

Remarkable job well done, always such a wonderful learning experience with the professor and Neil

[@SebastianA.W.]

good to see the good professor in my feed again. be blessed, science-man.

[@jasonespinoza5105]

One of my favorite metals. Thank you!

[@dr.feelgood2358]

thank you Neil. brilliant work!

[@JonatanGronoset]

I keep forgetting this channel exists, so I get excited whenever I come across the videos again. Volatile reactions are fun to watch (in a safe enviroment). Glad to see the Professor and team are as excited about chemistry as ever! And Niel making stuff glow, fizzle or explode in the name of science! 👨‍🔬 The variac experiment made me think the Professor and Niel could enjoy Styropyros videos experimenting with high currents. Sometimes he uses it to create interesting chemical reactions with volatile results, such as superheating of metallic compounds in hardware!

[@Juliosguitarstuffs]

I was watching you guys in college and I’m still watching you guys as a QC chemist! Keep it up guys!

[@henkmagnetic3103]

What a team. Prof., Neal and Brady.

[@plabcentral630]

This is probably the best channel on KZbin. My new number 1.

[@kieranfoster902]

Well done Neil, and well done Martyn for expressing all our gratitude for Neil and the amazing work he (and all technicians) do. I would be lost without my lab technicians school getting things ready so I can do experiments with the children.

[@mikegouws8196]

Can you do a video on Triethylborane? As used in the SR71 and modern rockets.

[@aidanjohnson7571]

that might be more of a job for Explosions and Fire

[@speelydan]

@@aidanjohnson7571 Might be too big of a job for E&F, even - and I mean that with a billion percent respect, at least, I love that bloke.

[@TheFulcrum2000]

@@speelydan Indeeed, this seems more like a thing for ChemicalForce to test.

[@mduckernz]

I seem to recall having seen a video from this channel featuring triethylaluminium, at least; as you’re probably aware, it is used in conjunction with triethylborane (abbreviated to TEA-TEB) as a hypergolic starting fuel with LOX to get the turbopump going

[@eevvaann11]

These videos are the best! I am always so excited to see what you guys do and come up with.

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

Great to see you guys love watching always a great video and I learn something every time thanks for sharing

[@fredrikfarkas]

Great video! I really like the experimenting and untried stuff! When pros play it gets really interesting✨

[@agentham]

It is indescribable how giddy I get any time I see a new Periodic Videos video in my notifications.

[@davidedgar2818]

Thank you both, this was a very informative video. I didn't realize all of the possibilities of ( W ) Tungsten.

[@sirranhaal3099]

The professor’s tremor is much improved

[@javkhlanbaatarkhuu4271]

Thank you for coming back. I was waiting for you and no secret, I was little worried about you. Happy to see you, Professor

[@aupotter2584]

Darts' barrels which are now made of tungsten are much narrower than obsolete brass barrels so that we can see more and more 180's these days. 🎯

[@k.c.sunshine1934]

I find this to be an excellent video. Thanks for the excellent teamwork!

[@commonsenseless9894]

Periodic videos make me constantly happy

[@csachevauxsansabri2612]

Brilliant video as usual, thanks for sharing

[@zJericho101z]

It's been a while since a watched one of these vids, thanks for sharing!

[@simontyrrell8866]

Thank you for another great video on this ubiquitous but mostly unknown metal. Some years ago I commented on a video about the reaction of magnesium with water, pointing out that this was a regular school reaction and that the reaction of magnesium with steam was even more interesting. I am commenting now about the statement that things usually get smaller when you burn them. I frequently do an experiment with my 13 year old students when we burn iron wool and it gets heavier, so things don't get smaller when you burn them but get bigger! Chemistry is so fun, please keep up the good work

[@bobvines00]

As a Mechanical Engineer, I can wholeheartedly say that good Technicians are worth their weight in gold!

[@Marshaze1]

Awesome as always! Thanks, Tech's!

[@mr.iforgot3062]

Professor Martyn is a close friend of mine. We had pizza a few months ago. Did you know he drinks diet soda?

[@zacknicley8150]

What did Tom Cruise say when he ordered diet soda?

[@CPTSwoopty]

Just a couple of pyros enjoying some 'experiments' on Uni dime and time LOL! It's so entertaining to watch.

[@blankreg2002]

I was a lab tech for years, and Neil far outranks me as to his cleverness. Thanks Neil!

[@GAIS414]

Very nice! Though I would have loved if you incorporated more of the mechanical properties of Tungsten. Because of it's hardness and toughness, it's one of the most important materials in modern industry especially for cutting and welding metals.

[@8bitboxing]

Thank you for amazing video. Neil is an awesome technician!

[@Sean-ff9ic]

Thank you for making these videos!

[@equolizer]

I'm really impressed by the professor's pronunciation of the German name of Wolfram. It was spot on, the 'r' which is normally a struggle for English speakers was perfect.

[@Fam2014Ch]

Love your videos proffesor !!!... fascinating way to teach !!!... Salute from a Chilean follower. Stay safe.

[@domonikoldham7387]

thank you for the awesome display guys i love your work and enjoy every video thank you :)

[@xja85mac]

Some say that his gaze could paralyse you, and that after touching some wolfram he’s transformed into a wolf. All we know is he’s called Neil!