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Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

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Mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, inspiring children and adults alike since 1825.

Great scientists, even greater questions. Mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, inspiring children and adults alike since 1825.

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Royal Institution Christmas Lectures: 2012: The Modern Alchemist

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures: 2012: The Modern Alchemist: Episode 3: Earth: The Philosopher's Stone

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Factual: Science & Nature

Earth: The Philosopher's Stone

Episode 3

Episode 3: Earth: The Philosopher's Stone

2012: The Modern Alchemist

BBC Four - Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, 2012: The Modern Alchemist, Earth: The Philosopher's Stone

Peter Wothers discovers how hard it is for chemists to extract Earth's greatest treasures.

Dr Peter Wothers explores the elements within the earth and discovers just difficult it is for chemists to extract the planet's greatest treasures.

For centuries alchemists have tried to turn base metals into gold. But is such a feat even possible? 

In the final Christmas Lecture, Dr Peter Wothers explores the elements within the earth and discovers just how difficult it is for chemists to extract the planet's greatest treasures. He discovers how our knowledge of the elements can allow us to levitate, turn carbon dioxide into diamonds and maybe turn lead into gold. 

Peter is joined by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Professor Sir Harry Kroto and together they find out whether a member of the audience is really worth their weight in gold and what happens when you set fire to a diamond.

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Alchemist Dr Peter Wothers gives three lectures on air, water and earth.

Dr Peter Wothers unpicks the chemistry of the world around us, looking at air, water and earth - three of the original ancient Greek 'elements' that tantalised alchemists for centuries.

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Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

2012: The Modern Alchemist

Episode 3: Earth: The Philosopher's Stone

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