![]() ![]() ![]() Even an improvised underwater detonation device designed to rule out the possibility that the metal pieces were simply bouncing off the surface of the water proved unimpressive. He too was surprised at the disappointing results of his experiments with rubidium and caesium. Theodore Gray, owner of one of the most famous periodic tables, had also been experimenting with alkali metals and was sharing videos of the reactions on his website. The crew took the decision to rig the bathtub with explosives to acquire footage fitting the gaudiness of the show.Įxplosions and science from UK Sky One series Brainiac. But with so many people now able to review and scrutinize the show, suspicions that the explosions had been faked were soon raised and then confirmed.ĭespite the assumptions of Brainiac’s production team that the results would be impressive, they were left disappointed with their reactions of rubidium and caesium. It wasn’t long before people were recording and sharing their own experiments … and the ones they saw on TV.īrainiac had broadcast dramatic footage of alkali metals exploding in water. ![]() YouTube had launched the previous year and domestic internet access speeds were just about making the widespread hosting and sharing of video clips practical. It’s been nearly ten years since the appropriately titled Sky TV programme, Brainiac: Science Abuse, inadvertently kick-started the first real mainstream discussion on the alkali metals that chemistry teachers could widely participate in. Of course, it’s not practical to demonstrate rubidium and caesium live – but everyone knows their reactions are progressively more dramatic, and you can just show the video. Lithium fizzes, sodium pops, potassium explodes. What demonstration do you use to teach group relationships in the periodic table? What reaction shows the similarity of elements in a group and also the progressive chemistry from one element to the next? ![]()
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