Tertiary Catalogue

In the fourth episode of this series, we take an in-depth look at H⁺ and OH⁻ ions and we explain how the pH scale is used to express how strongly acidic or how strongly basic a particular environment is. We examine how the pH of natural environments affects plant and animal life and how the human body has to carefully control the pH of our organs. Show Less

In the third episode, Neutralisation, we explain what bases are and then take a look at what happens when acids and bases chemically react. We also take a look at acid-base indicators, which are chemicals that change colour depending on whether they are in an acid or a base/ Show Less

In this episode, we describe what carbonates are and explain how they react with acids. If it wasn't for carbonates, our own stomach acid would kill us, acid rain would have destroyed our forests, and—worst of all—our pancakes wouldn't be as soft and fluffy as they are. Show Less

In Acids in Industry, we look at what acids are, how they're made, and how they're used in steel making and agriculture. We also take a quick trip back to the 1770s to look at how acids were used by Captain James Cook to save his crew from the disease that killed more sailors than shipwrecks and sea battles! Show Less

Should parents be given the choice to edit the genes of their unborn children? Or should this practice remain outlawed? This video looks at the arguments for both sides, discussing the He Jiankui affair and CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and explaining concerns over hereditary diseases and designer babies. Nuanced and considered, this is a highly valuable resource for English and Science classrooms, as well as thought-provoking viewing for Philosophy students. Show Less

From water to table salt, we safely come into contact with countless chemical compounds every day. But compounds can also be deadly. Using Turkish President Turgut Özal’s death and eventual autopsy as real-life context, this video examines the chemical and structural qualities of compounds—in particular, the toxic pesticide known as DDT. Complemented by clear graphics, it is essential viewing for students of chemistry. Show Less

The products of mining—metals, minerals and fuels—are essential to our everyday lives. But the waste by-products from mining processes, called tailings, can be highly toxic. Using the 2014 Mount Polley Mine tailings dam and its catastrophic release of toxic chemical mixtures into the environment as an example, this video explores the make-up of mixtures, identifying the differences between solutions, colloids and suspensions. Complemented by clear graphics, it is essential viewing for students of chemistry. Show Less

Explore the physical and human cause of the Somerset floods with this engaging resource. Then consider their impact on people's lives, the environment and property, before assessing how both hard and soft engineering options are being used to improve resilience to future flood events. Show Less

Yahya's family has been forced off their land on the fringes of the Sahara, because of desertification. Through his story, this title considers the impacts of desertification and its causes, including: climate change, population pressure, over abstraction of water, overgrazing and salinisation. It then considers a range of responses including tree planting, the use of appropriate technology and the introduction of sustainable water and soil management strategies. Show Less

Using Morocco's Sahara Desert as a case study, this title considers the challenges of hot desert environments, including extreme temperatures, lack kof water and inaccessibility. It then looks at the opportunities deserts can offer if these challenges can be overcome. Show Less

Use this programme to explore what makes landscapes distinctive in the UK. It provides an overview of the characteristics and uses of the UK's areas of upland and lowland landscapes. Through the use of case tudies, this video contextualises how climate, geology and human activity have worked together in combination with geomorpic processes over millions of years, to create the UK's diverse and distinct landscapes. Show Less

According to the UN 1.5 billion people are affected by desertification. This film follows the fortune of one family forced off their land on the fringes of the Sahara. Through their story this title considers the impacts and causes of desertification. It then looks at a range of responses including tree planting, use of appropriate technology and the introductino f sustainable water and soil management strategies. Show Less

This programme looks at the different ways people living on the world’s desert margins are rising to the challenge of desertification and making the most of the opportunities deserts can offer. Along the way viewers find out about the world’s largest solar plant, the “Hollywood of the desert” film studios where Game of Thrones is filmed, large scale irrigation schemes used for citrus cultivation, mineral extraction and luxury desert tourism. Show Less

This clip explores the hazards associated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, including ash pollution and the destruction caused by explosions, lahars, pyroclastic flows and tephra in volcanic areas; and tsunamis, disruption of services, destruction of property and infrastructure and loss of lives in earthquake zones. Show Less

Using the emergency response to the Haiti earthquake as an example, this clip considers the effectiveness of a variety of disaster management strategies. Examples include short-term responses like evacuation, search and rescue and the delivery of emergency food, water and medical supplies. The long-term responses are also considered and include the rebuilding of infrastructure and provision of health care. Show Less

This clip compares how tropical rainforests and mangroves have adapted to their environments. We explore how despite sharing the same climatic conditions, mangroves face an additional challenges because of their coastal location. We see examples of how rainforests have adapted to their warm, damp environment including: the forest structure, drip tip leaves, lianas, buttress roots, epiphytes. This is then compared with how mangroves have adapted to survive in brackish water and waterlogged soil, i.e. through root adaptations. Filmed in a variety of rainforest and mangrove locations around the world. Show Less

A poisoned umbrella and a forensic investigation…using an unusual and as-yet-unsolved true crime as a launching place, this video shows that the chemistry of matter matters. Elements, as represented on the periodic table, are made up of only one type of atom. Using mercury—and mercury poisoning—as an example, this video examines the chemical and structural qualities of elements and the anomalies that make mercury unusual. Complemented by clear graphics, it is essential viewing for students of chemistry. Show Less

Matter exists as elements, compounds and mixtures. But what are the differences between these three forms? Using straightforward images and diagrams and commonplace examples, this video introduces students to how elements, compounds and mixtures are formed, how they bond and combine, and if and how they separate. Succinct and clear, this is essential viewing for students of chemistry. Show Less