A Curious Matter

Wonderful series on how we came to understand the elements and matter itself:

The Mystery of Mstter

or

The Mystery of Matter

Unraveling such mysteries as why rusty iron weighs more than the same volume of unrusted iron helped to uncover the way elements interact. In a related experiment, melting mercury oxide causes it to give off a mysterious gas that makes a candle flame burn brighter. Understanding why radium glows in the dark gives a glimpse at the structure of atoms. Learn the answers to these mysteries and much more in this well written series on the history of those who solved the mysteries of matter.

You can watch episode 1 at PBS. Highly recommended series! Perfect for classroom or the inquiring mind.