All Elements articles

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  • emeralds
    Elements

    Beryllium

    2015-11-06T00:00:00Z

    Sometimes beautiful, sometimes useful, always deadly

  • EiC0515ElementsF1630m
    Elements

    Chlorine

    2015-09-09T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley investigates the halogen we love to hate, but can’t live without

  • 0415EiCElement300tb
    Elements

    Samarium

    2015-07-03T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at a low profile element with some valuable applications

  • Sodium street lamps
    Elements

    Sodium

    2015-05-11T00:00:00Z

    It’s salt, soda and street lights, but also much more, explains John Emsley

  • 0215EiCElements300tb
    Elements

    Molybdenum

    2015-03-09T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at an element that holds the key to life on Earth

  • Iridescent bismuth crystal
    Elements

    Bismuth

    2014-11-20T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley examines a heavy metal that gleams, calms and quenches

  • barium meal
    Elements

    Barium

    2014-09-10T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at an element that, despite first appearances, has some interesting applications

  • Fruit on an olive tree
    Elements

    Boron

    2014-07-03T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that links olive trees with semiconductors

  • Batteries
    Elements

    Nickel

    2014-05-08T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley investigates the element of batteries, blades and baked beans

  • The Visual Elements symbol for holmium
    Elements

    Holmium

    2014-03-06T00:00:00Z

    When it comes to powerful magnets, nothing beats holmium. John Emsley investigates

  • Coloured gemstonesw
    Elements

    Aluminium

    2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that’s so useful, so abundant, but so difficult to extract

  • Beetroot
    Elements

    Manganese

    2013-11-06T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that has been essential to humanity since before the stone age

  • 0513EiC-ELEMENTS-Fig1300tb
    Elements

    Phosphorus

    2013-09-02T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that's the devil in disguise

  • EiC_July_ELEMENTS_p012_250
    Elements

    Mercury

    2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that's fascinating, feared and fatal

  • 0313EiC_Element_pg012_180
    Elements

    Neon

    2013-05-01T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the element that shines brightly and keeps cool but continues to puzzle

  • 0213EiC_Element_pg012_180
    Elements

    Tungsten

    2013-03-01T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley looks at the heavy metal that makes light work of tough jobs

  • 50
    Elements

    Tin

    2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

    In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Education in Chemistry, John Emsley takes a look at the 50th element

  • The-Elements_pg013_250
    Elements

    Lithium

    2012-11-01T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley investigates the element that is the lightest of metals and celebrated in song

  • Remains of the 5000 year-old iceman
    Elements

    Arsenic

    2012-09-01T00:00:00Z

    John Emsley investigates the element that has harmed many, but now heals a few

  • Amorphophallus titanium in full bloom
    Elements

    Sulfur

    2012-07-01T00:00:00Z

    We can't live with it and we can't live without it