The Episodic Table of Elements

The Episodic Table of Elements


Latest Episodes

84. Polonium: The Distinguished Alumna Of Warsaw’s Flying University
July 05, 2021

Sadly, it's no longer possible to purchase this lethally radioactive element for fifteen cents and a cereal boxtop.

83. Bismuth: The Friendly Oddball
June 14, 2021

The periodic table shows the natural patterns and trends among the elements. Bismuth does not abide.

82. Lead: Irrational Self-Interest
May 24, 2021

We just can't seem to stop chasing the sweet, sweet taste of element 82.

81. Thallium: It Rides A Pale Horse
April 26, 2021

In which we learn how reading mystery novels might very well save a life.

80. Mercury: Fatally Toxic And Probably In Your Mouth
April 12, 2021

Even if you hate tuna, have flawless teeth, and only use digital thermometers, humans have historically not been shy about getting a mouthful of mercury.

79. Gold: Lump Sum
March 29, 2021

All other metals step aside, because today we deal with the king of elements.

78. Platinum: A Tous Les Temps, A Tous Les Peuples
March 15, 2021

Sometimes, being set in stone isn't permanent enough.

72. Hafnium: The Isomer Bomb
December 14, 2020

The science suggests hafnium can't be used to create a gamma ray bomb, but that won't stop the U.S. government from trying.

71. Lutetium: Swampland Centaurs
November 16, 2020

Let us ensure we remember the lanthanide series before we leave it behind once and for all.

70. Ytterbium: White Gold
November 02, 2020

When Johann Bottger failed to turn lead into gold, porcelain made a pretty good consolation prize.