Element 56 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is barium. Barium is found in green fireworks, used in X-ray imaging, and also in drilling fluids. When you’re watching a fireworks display, barium compounds (commonly barium nitrate) are responsible for the green colours you see. Small particles of barium compounds can be dispersed …

Here’s the monthly summary of chemistry stories that have hit the news. This month features news on isotope evidence showing the Moon is older than previously thought, a compound that can remove the stench of skunk spray, and more! Larger summary images for each item are provided below, along with links to articles and studies …

Element 55 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is caesium. Caesium is used in atomic clocks and is the most reactive metal in the periodic table. Caesium is the element most commonly used in atomic clocks, which provide the most accurate times. Since 1967, the second has been defined in reference to …

Element 54 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is xenon. Xenon is used in some car headlights, to propel some satellites and spacecraft, and also in some types of medical imaging. Many car headlights, particularly those in more modern cars, use xenon. Despite commonly being referred to as xenon headlights, these are …

Element 53 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is iodine. This element is found in (and can be extracted from) seaweed, and is also used in LCD screens in phones and televisions. Iodine is one of the more unusual elements in the periodic table in terms of its appearance. At room temperature, …

Port’s often relegated to the festive period, and forgotten about for the rest of the year (at least, in the UK). Which is a shame, as if you look beyond the standard ruby port, there are several other delicious types, particularly the varieties that are aged for longer periods of time. There’s also some interesting …

Element 52 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is tellurium. This element is found in some types of solar cells, DVD and Blu-Ray discs, and photocopiers. Cadmium telluride is used to make some solar cells. These cells accounted for 8% of all solar cells in 2011. Tellurium isn’t a particularly abundant element …

Element 50 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is antimony. Used in antiquity as eyeliner and mascara, today antimony finds uses in fire retardants, car batteries and bullets. Antimony is one of the elements known since ancient times. Antimony sulfide (stibnite) was ground into a powder called kohl which could then be used …

Element 50 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is tin. Tin was formerly used in the statuettes awarded at the Oscars, and is used to make window glass. It’s also found in eponymous tin cans. The Oscar statuettes have been made from bronze with a gold-plating since the 2016 awards. However, prior …

Element 49 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is indium. Indium makes the touch screens in our electronic devices possible, and is also found in emergency sprinklers and Formula 1 cars. If you’re reading this on a phone or tablet with a touchscreen, the device you’re using contains indium in the form …