Physics

Certain of Uncertainty | Horizon

Four men who opened up a new field of physics in the twenties met recently in Lindau on Lake Constance, at a gathering of Nobel prizewinners...

02: Out of Sight | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond uses groundbreaking imaging technology to take the viewer on a journey of discovery beyond the visible ...

History of the Atom: From Rutherfor to Bohr | Chemistry: A Volatile History

Spec references J248: C1.2a J250: C1.2a. Professor Jim Al-Khalili explains the history of the ato...

S05E04: Nobel Prize Winners | Local Heroes

In an edition devoted to celebrating Britons who have won the Nobel Prize, Adam Hart-Davis lauds John Cockcroft's work on splittin...

Albert Einstein | Icons

Einstein was a physicist who rewrote the rules of the universe. Hounded from his native Germany by the Nazis and fearful of what they were capable of...

Inside Porton Down: Britain's Secret Weapons Research Facility

Michael Mosley investigates Porton Down, Britain's most secretive and controversial military research base. He...

03: Off the Scale | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond explores the miniature universe around us, from microscopic changes to ice crystals that can trigger a...

Chemical weapons | Inside Porton Down: Britain's Secret Weapons Research Facility

Introducing the idea of chemical and biological weapons, leading onto pathogens.

02: What is the World Made Of? | The Story of Science: Power, Proof and Passion

Michael Mosley explores how history shaped science. Here, he looks at how atomic theories and...

Using radioactive tracers for bone scans (2) | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P6.2c, P5.2i. Preparation and administration of a tracer for a bone scan of a rower.

Using radioactive tracers for bone scans (1) | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P6.2c, P5.2i. Preparation and administration of a tracer for a bone scan of a rower.

Half-life | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P6.1j, P6.2b J250: P4.3j. Explanation and animation - Nuclear decay is random. Half-life.

Lab demonstration of alpha beta gamma penetration properties. | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P6.1l J250: P4.3l. Laboratory demonstration of the penetration propertie...

Nuclear structure | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: P6.1a, P6.1d J250: P4.3a,P4.3d. Animation and description of nuclear structure of unstable nucleus (francium).

Nuclear radiation - what are alpha, beta and gamma radiation? | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: P6.1d J250: P4.3d. Animation and explanation of alpha, beta and gamma ...

02: Marie Curie's Radium | The Six Experiments That Changed The World

From Galileo to Einstein, from Faraday to Mendel: modern scientists try to recreate the seminal experim...

The Key to the Cosmos | Atom

Jim Al-Khalili's documentary series about the building block of our universe, the atom. He shows how the mystery of the universe's creation was ...

An Alpha, Beta and Gamma of Radioactivity | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

Radioactivity | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

Radioactivity | Curriculum Bites

Schools science programme where topics in the double science curriculum are broken down into small chunks.

03/12/2009 | Bang Goes the Theory

A Bang Goes the Theory special event showing how much electricity we use without even thinking about it. The gang attempts to power a house...

S05E01: London | Local Heroes

London is the first destination, where he investigates the invention of the lightning conductor, the pressure cooker and the electrocardiogram.

S04E01: South West | Local Heroes

This week he reveals the heroes of Bath, Stroud, Dorset and the New Forest, from the inventor of concrete to a pioneer of static electricit...

S03E01: Cornwall | Local Heroes

Adam visits south-west England, where his subjects include William Murdock, who devised the world's first mechanical vehicle and also came up...

03: Revelations and Revolutions | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Jim Al-Khalili concludes by looking at how, if we could understand the secret of electrical superco...

02: The Age of Invention | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Jim Al-Khalili shows how harnessing the link between magnetism and electricity transformed the world, allo...

01: Spark | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Jim Al-Khalili tells how the first 'natural philosophers' began to unlock electricity's mysteries, studying its curious l...

Alternating and direct current | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P8.2h J250: P6.2g. Alternating and direct current. Description and animation.

What does a fuse do? | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P8.2j J250: P6.2i. Animation showing domestic fuses and fuse boxes. Use of P = I V to choose the correct ...

What is the purpose of the earth wire in a plug? | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P8.2i J250: P6.2h. Animation - purpose of the earth wire.

Uses of electrostatics - the photocopier | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.1b, P3.1c, P3.1d. Uses of electrostatics - photocopier - animation and description.

Wiring a plug | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P8.2i J250: P6.2h. Wiring a plug. Animation with method to remember wire colour.

Uses of electrostatics - the electrostatic dust precipitator | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.1b, P3.1c, P3.1d. Uses of electrostatics - the electrostatic d...

Dangers and nuisance of electrostatics | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.1c J250: P3.1c. Discharging charged objects and dangers nuisance of static electrici...

Electrical Power | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.2l, P3.2m J250: P3.2l, P3.2m . Description of electrical power, P = I V, watts and kilowatts. Narrated sl...

The Diode | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.2g, P3.2h J250: P3.2g, P3.2h. Non-ohmic conductors - diode. Circuit symbol, electrical characteristic and descrip...

The thermistor | GCSE Bitesize Revision

. Non-ohmic conductors - thermistor. Circuit symbol, electrical characteristic and description. Narrated slides.

Light dependent resistor (LDR) | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.2g, P3.2h J250: P3.2g, P3.2h. Non-ohmic conductors - LDR. Circuit symbol, electrical charact...

The filament lamp | GCSE Bitesize Revision

. Non-ohmic conductors - filament lamp. Circuit symbol, electrical characteristic and description. Narrated slides.

Ohm's law | GCSE Bitesize Revision

. Ohm's law V = IR with worked example narrated slides.

S03E16: Glasgow | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis concludes the series by visiting western Scotland. There he learns about John Logie Baird, inventor of the television, Lord Ke...

Energy | Bang Goes The Theory

Jem Stansfield, Liz Bonnin and Maggie Philbin investigate how close Britain might get to running out of electricity.

Risky Business | Short Circuit

Has France's nuclear power policy gone too far with its network of 55 reactors? A look at the risks and benefits.

S04E03: North East | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis's cycling tour of Britain takes him this week to Yorkshire, where he visits Leeds Bridge, site of the first motion picture ...

S03E10: Edinburgh | Local Heroes

This week Hart-Davis makes the journey to Elgin, re-creating the moment when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and to the site w...

Special: Exploding Heroes | Local Heroes

In anticipation of Guy Fawkes Night, Adam Hart-Davis goes on a whistlestop tour from Cornwall to Scotland, looking at the inspiratio...

Physical Processes 3: Temperature and Heat | Scientific Eye

The show delves into the nature of heat as a form of energy transfer,

Britain's Nuclear Secrets: Inside Sellafield

Jim Al-Khalili uncovers the story of Sellafield. He encounters some of the most dangerous substances on earth, reveals the natur...

Episode 4 | The Secrets of Everything

Greg Foot finds out if you can escape when buried alive, what he needs to become the world's fastest man, why a boomerang comes back an...

01: Speed Limits | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Using state-of-the-art technologies, Richard Hammond goes beyond the limits of the naked eye and explores the hidden se...

04: Can We Have Unlimited Power? | The Story of Science: Power, Proof and Passion

Michael Mosley shows how the most power-hungry generation that has ever lived has harnessed...

Nuclear fusion | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P6.2. Description and animation of nuclear fusion.

Nuclear fission | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P6.2. Description and animation of nuclear fission.

Conduction, convection and radiation and insulation. | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: P5.2a, P5.2f J250: P5.2a, P5.2f. Conduction, convection and radiation, and ho...

Fukushima: Is Nuclear Power Safe? | Horizon

Six months after the explosions at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, Professor Jim Al-Khalili sets out to discover whether nu...

Nuclear fission and fusion | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Animated shorts to support students preparing for assessments in GCSE Additional Science.

Energy changes | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

Energy | Curriculum Bites

Schools science programme where topics in the double science curriculum are broken down into small chunks.

S02E01 | Bang Goes The Theory

Jem tries to smash a land speed record with a fire extinguisher, a go kart and a well-oiled spanner.

Inside a nuclear reactor | Bang Goes the Theory

Jem climbs inside a nuclear reactor and explains how nuclear power is produced.

15: Forces and Motion Special | Horrible Science

A weird and wonderful look at how gravity, magnetism and friction impact everything. With Fred Sirieix.

S02E04:...about Speed | James May's Things You Need to Know

James May explains all you need to know about speed with a fast-moving mix of animation and motion graphics, incl...

Why Do Cats Have Nine Lives? | James May's Things You Need to Know

James May explains about speed, using a fast-moving mix of animation and graphics. Here he explores why te...

Survivors | Short Circuit

Aircraft crash investigators agree on measures to improve survival rates-but why have the authorities failed to act on these recommendations?

2008-2009: 13: How to Survive a Disaster | Horizon

When disaster strikes who lives and who dies is not purely a matter of luck - Horizon has gathered a team of experts to pr...

The Science of D-Day

Engineer Rob Bell explores the new inventions - from giant troop-carrying gliders to tanks that could operate on water - that made the Normandy invasion...

S05E05: Italy | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis sets his sights further afield with a trip to Italy, where he ascends the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a bid to reproduce Galileo's ...

S05E01: London | Local Heroes

London is the first destination, where he investigates the invention of the lightning conductor, the pressure cooker and the electrocardiogram.

S04E02: Scotland | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis's cycling tour of Britain takes him to Scotland, where he visits St Andrews to see how backspin helps a golf ball defy gravit...

S03E15: East Midlands | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis cycles to Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire to find out about this week's heroes. They include Frank Whittle, who inven...

S03E05: South | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis continues his search for unsung heroes of science when he cycles around the south of England. On a stop-off in Surrey, he uses a...

S03E04: Italy | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis visits southern Italy, home to the greatest scientists of the ancient world. In Syracuse, he recreates Archimedes' famous ''eure...

S03E03: Egypt | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis travels to Egypt in search of the earliest heroes of science. Using a drinks can and a stove, he recreates Hero of Alexandria's ...

Special: Science Special | Local Heroes

In this one-off special Adam Hart-Davis marks significant anniversaries of great British inventors, including Sir Isaac Newton's death.

Episode 3 | The Secrets of Everything

Greg Foot finds out if winning unfair fights only happens in the movies, asks why the sky is blue and experiences the highs and lows of...

01: Speed Limits | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Using state-of-the-art technologies, Richard Hammond goes beyond the limits of the naked eye and explores the hidden se...

03: What Is Gravity? | Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time

Brian takes a fresh look at the concept of gravity, revealing it to be far more than just the force that make...

04: The Pale Blue Dot | Forces of Nature with Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox reveals how Earth's beauty is created by just a handful of forces. In this episode Brian explains...

01: The Universe in a Snowflake | Forces of Nature with Brian Cox

In this episode Brian looks at the stunning diversity of shapes.

Momentum | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P2.2k J250: P2.2k. Animation, description and worked example, p = m v. Description of force = rate of change of momen...

S04E06: Royal Institute Special | Local Heroes

In the last programme of the series, Adam Hart-Davis celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Royal Institution - made famous b...

Why do some materials become charged? | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.1a, P3.1b J250: P3.1a, P3.1b. Why insulating materials can be charged but conducting ...

Attraction and repulsion | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P3.1b J250: P3.1b. Attraction and repulsion between objects ( charging by induction not addressed) - ...

04: Faraday's Doughnut | The Six Experiments That Changed The World

From Galileo to Einstein, from Faraday to Mendel: modern scientists try to recreate the seminal experimen...

Electromagnetism | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

The race to prove Maxwell's theory | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Jim Al-Khalili explains how physics professor Oliver Lodge proved Maxwell's theory that electrom...

Electricity, Magnetism, Motion | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity

Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that an electric current creates a magnetic field.

02: The Race for Absolute Zero | Absolute Zero

Documentary charting rival attempts to reach absolute zero, the ultimate limit of cold, by scientists in London and Leiden.

01: The Conquest of Cold | Absolute Zero

Documentary charting the progress of scientists throughout history who attempted to harness the ultimate limit of cold, known as Abs...

Neutrino: Hunting the Ghost Particle

The astonishing tale of how scientists have battled against the odds to detect and decode the neutrino - the strangest, most elusive par...

Physical Processes 3: Temperature and Heat | Scientific Eye

The show delves into the nature of heat as a form of energy transfer,

03: Off the Scale | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond explores the miniature universe around us, from microscopic changes to ice crystals that can trigger a...

What is the bends? | Short Circuit

. How bubbles in the blood cause the bends.

Height and pressure | Short Circuit

Effect of height above the surface of the Earth on pressure - diving patient on a helicopter flight.

The decompression chamber | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P1.3c, P1.3d, P1.3f. How a decompression chamber works - animation and analogy with diving context .

The effect of pressure on gases | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P1.3c, P1.3d, P1.3f. The effect of pressure on bubble size - animation.

Atmospheric pressure | Short Circuit

. Atmospheric pressure is related to the weight of the air above you.

Dissolved gases under pressure | Short Circuit

. Spec references: J249: P1.3c, P1.3d, P1.3f Analogy between dissolved gases in the blood and fizzy drinks.

Pressure and water depth | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P1.3c, P1.3d, P1.3f. Effect of water depth on an enclosed volume of air - scuba diver.

The Clash of the Titans | Atom

Nuclear physicist Jim Al-Khalili tells the story of the discovery that everything is made of atoms, and of the minds behind the scientific bre...

Pressure | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

Pressure on ice | The Secret Life of Ice

Dr Gabrielle Walker and Dr Andrea Sella investigate what happens when pressure is applied to ice and how this allows us to ice skate.

Ice crystal properties | The Secret Life of Ice

Dr Gabrielle Walker and Dr Andrea Sella investigate the properties of ice crystals, to explain why ice floats.

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle | Atom

Jim Al-Khalili explains Heisenberg's famous Uncertainty Principle that explains why an atom can't be visualised.

Introduction to Electronic Structure and Chemical Properties | Atom

Spec references J248: C2.2h J250: C2.2h. Professor Jim Al-Khalili explains how chemical properties are de...

How Rutherford Discovered the Nucleus | Atom

Spec references J248: C1.2a J250: C1.2a. Detailed desciption of how Rutherford's alpha particle scattering experiment was develo...

The quantum jump | Atom

Jim Al-Khalili attempts to explain one of the most difficult scientific concepts, but one that underpins everything.

Episode 1 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

Chris Hadfield, Dr Kevin Fong and Dr Iya Whiteley put 12 candidates through a series of physical and psychological tests t...

Episode 5 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

The astronaut candidates fight for their place in the final. Their leadership skills are assessed in a survival test and t...

Episode 4 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

The competition becomes more intense as the remaining candidates are deprived of oxygen to see if they can recognise the s...

Episode 3 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

Old fears surface when the remaining candidates face some space agency swim tests. Their teamwork and mental agility are s...

Episode 2 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

The remaining astronaut candidates are put through more demanding tests. They have to escape from an underwater capsule an...

Episode 1 | Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey

Kate Humble and Dr Helen Czerski follow the Earth's voyage around the sun for one complete orbit, travelling first from July...

Bitesize Space Science

Jon Chase brings alive a series of fun and engaging demonstrations introducing the subject of space science to Scottish Nationals and GCSE pupils.

Episode 6 | Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

The finalists head to the Shuttle Landing Facility on Florida's Space Coast for a tough test in weightlessness, and back i...

02: Out of Sight | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond uses groundbreaking imaging technology to take the viewer on a journey of discovery beyond the visible ...

S01E02:...about the Universe | James May's Things You Need to Know

James May takes a journey of discovery across the universe, asking where it all began, how stars work, and...

04: What Is Time? | Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time

Brian explores the enigma of time - a phenomenon that we take for granted but which, as far as physicists are co...

Wonders of the Moon

Documentary which uses the latest, most detailed imagery to reveal the monthly life cycle of the moon to find out how it shapes life on Earth.

Big Bang | Short Circuit

An introduction to the origins of the universe, exploring the Big Bang theory and the evidence supporting it as well as what people believe.

Super Telescope: Mission to the Edge of the Universe | Horizon

The inside story of the James Webb Space Telescope, following the Nasa team building the £8 billion device and...

S03E08: Merseyside | Local Heroes

Adam relives his childhood love of Meccano, invented by Frank Hornby, before moving on to celebrate the work of other scientists and innova...

S03E06: Ireland | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis cycles around Ireland to rediscover some scientific milestones. He looks at how John Tyndall found the sky was blue, how Charl...

The Entire Universe

Eric Idle persuades Professor Brian Cox to present a lecture on the birth of the entire universe. Brian soon realises Eric is actually hosting a comedy a...

Horizon: 40 Years on the Moon

Brian Cox uses the BBC archive to examine the story of man's relationship with the moon, from James Burke testing out Nasa equipment to Neil Ar...

Brian Cox: Space, Time & Videotape

Professor Brian Cox is joined by two of his heroes, the actor Brian Blessed and Professor Alice Roberts. On the agenda are his TV idols fr...

Brian Cox: Seven Days on Mars

With unique access to Nasa, Brian Cox follows Perseverance rover's search for life on Mars during a critical seven-day period as it undertakes ...

02: Out of Sight | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond uses groundbreaking imaging technology to take the viewer on a journey of discovery beyond the visible ...

S03E13: Gloucestershire | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis recalls the work of Edwin Beard Budding, who invented the lawnmower, and focuses on William Henry Fox Talbot, the fath...

S03E07: Potteries | Local Heroes

Adam Hart-Davis searches for unsung heroes of science on a trip to the Potteries, Staffordshire. Using a few pipes, a ribbon and an air pump...

03: Off the Scale | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Richard Hammond explores the miniature universe around us, from microscopic changes to ice crystals that can trigger a...

01: Speed Limits | Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds

Using state-of-the-art technologies, Richard Hammond goes beyond the limits of the naked eye and explores the hidden se...

Refraction | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P5.1g. Simple description of refraction.

Reflection | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P5.1g. Demonstration and description with animation of ray diagram for reflection.

Transverse and longitudinal waves (2) | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J249: P5.1e J250: P4.1e. The differences between transverse and longitudinal waves demonstrate...

Using an understanding of seismic waves to reduce damage to structures | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i. Reducing the damage caused to structures during earthquakes.

Using seismic waves to locate the source of an earthquake | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i. Finding the location of an earthquake.

Seismic waves (2) | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i, P5.1e. Different types of seismic wave - primary (P) and secondary (S) waves.

Seismic waves (1) | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i, P5.1e. Different types of seismic wave - primary (P) and secondary (S) waves.

Seismometer | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i, P4.2e. How a seismometer works and use of dynamo effect.

Earthquakes | Short Circuit

Spec references J249: P8.3i. Why earthquakes happen.

Properties of waves - refraction | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: P5.3a, P5.3d J250: P4.2j. Demonstration with description and animation of ray diagram for refraction.

Properties of waves - reflection | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: P5.1g. Demonstration and description with animation of ray diagram for reflection.

Transverse and Longitudinal waves | Curriculum Bites

Spec references J249: NA. The differences between transverse and longitudinal waves demonstrated with an animated slinky...

Light and sound waves | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Animated shorts to support students preparing for assessments in GCSE Additional Science.

Skin Deep | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.

Optically Speaking | Short Circuit

Bringing chemistry, physics and biology to life using real-life examples, 3D graphics and practical experiments.