What are your interests?
Select categories to help us recommend content for you.
Let's Go!
Close queue History
Play full episodes to fill your queue.
Fathom beta logo
   
Unexpected Elements

Unexpected Elements

238 Episodes • By BBC World Service • www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016tmt...
The news you know, the science you don’t. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way.
Science
Unexpected Elements
Unexpected Elements
@thesciencehour
mute button
Breaking, climbing, and surfing
This week the panel take a look at their favourites ... more
Jul 26 2024 49m
Exploring Matter of the Universe
Chapter 1 15 mins
Unusual Olympic Sports and Science
Chapter 2 15 mins
The Physics of Breakdancing
Chapter 3 18 mins
Perceptions of Time and Space
Chapter 4 38 sec
Unexpected Olympic Highlights & Farewell
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Marriage Madness
Radhika Merchant has married her partner Anant Amban... more
Jul 19 2024 49m
Global Sleep Patterns and Jet Lag
Chapter 1 15 mins
Wedding Rituals and Superstitions
Chapter 2 13 mins
Tree Rings and Climate Change
Chapter 3 7 mins
Biochemistry, Exercise, and Mental Imagery
Chapter 4 6 mins
Earworms and Vegetable Gas Composition
Chapter 5 9 mins
Sleep Patterns and Cultural Perspectives
Chapter 6 1 min
Travel Essentials and Olympics Podcast
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Political Jet Lag
In the lead up to the US election President Joe Bide... more
Jul 12 2024 49m
The Carbon Footprint of Animals
Chapter 1 12 mins
Summer Activities and Bird Migrations
Chapter 2 10 mins
Coping With Jet Lag
Chapter 3 16 mins
Land Rights and Devolution in Nunavut
Chapter 4 11 mins
Grass Management in Sports Venues
Chapter 5 1 min
Exploring Future Technology on Technically Speaking
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Mushroom Magic
In Australia, more than six people were hospitalised... more
Jul 5 2024 49m
Why Smartphone Screens Are Sensitive
Chapter 1 6 mins
Unexpected Elements
Chapter 2 9 mins
Mushrooms
Chapter 3 7 mins
Hallucinations and Magic Mushrooms
Chapter 4 11 mins
The Science of Perfume
Chapter 5 9 mins
Animal Weather Forecasting Abilities
Chapter 6 7 mins
The Science of Earworms
Chapter 7 1 min
Afghan Star Music Revival
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Lights Out
A nationwide power outage in Ecuador left 18 million... more
Jun 28 2024 49m
Embracing Darkness in Antarctica
Chapter 1 13 mins
The Power of Darkness and Light
Chapter 2 10 mins
Embracing Darkness in Antarctica
Chapter 3 8 mins
Hybrid Bears and Chip Fries
Chapter 4 16 mins
The Science of Bridges and Alligators
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Seismic Swift
At a recent Taylor Swift concert in Scotland, seismo... more
Jun 21 2024 49m
Global Football Trends and Updates
Chapter 1 12 mins
Concert Quakes and Kinetic Energy
Chapter 2 3 mins
Animal Earthquake Prediction and Seismic Signals
Chapter 3 7 mins
Seismic Signals of Baby Volcano
Chapter 4 10 mins
AI Technology in Football Officiating
Chapter 5 7 mins
Snail Cooking Methods and Relationship Patterns
Chapter 6 10 mins
The Workplace Monitoring and Meaningful Jobs
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
An Unexpected Burger
Could a scientific burger compete against the fast f... more
Jun 14 2024 49m
Climate-Proofing the Potato
Chapter 1 15 mins
Global Borders and Burger Science
Chapter 2 15 mins
The Fascination With Human Butts
Chapter 3 7 mins
Science, Attention, and Art
Chapter 4 11 mins
Potatoes, Particle Physics & Promotion
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Balloon manoeuvres
After North Korean balloons delivered trash to South... more
Jun 7 2024 49m
Snails Climbing Walls for Food
Chapter 1 17 mins
Balloons, Airships, and Unexpected Elements
Chapter 2 5 mins
Importance and Scarcity of Helium
Chapter 3 10 mins
Helium Shortage Impact on Cognitive Abilities
Chapter 4 12 mins
Birth Order and Snail Behavior
Chapter 5 6 mins
Exploring Space Missions and Climate Science
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Eternal Flames
As the Olympic torch makes its way through France, w... more
May 31 2024 49m
Skin Itchiness and Unusual Fires
Chapter 1 14 mins
Unexpected Elements
Chapter 2 8 mins
Unraveling the Mystery of Ancient Fires
Chapter 3 9 mins
Monogamy Hormone in Mice Study
Chapter 4 13 mins
Snake Populations and Climate Change
Chapter 5 6 mins
Fascinating Facts About Cicadas
Chapter 6 51 sec
Tap to Pay Payment Solutions
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
A world going on underground
How would you feel if you spent more and more of you... more
May 24 2024 49m
Exploring Science Behind News Headlines
Chapter 1 15 mins
Underground Cities and Gravity Pull
Chapter 2 7 mins
Experiments in Underground Timelessness
Chapter 3 10 mins
Climate Change and Conservation Perspectives
Chapter 4 9 mins
Birth Order and Creativity Debate
Chapter 5 5 mins
Discovery of the Wood Wide Web
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Winning Losers
In a competitive world, is it always best to finish ... more
May 17 2024 49m
The Benefits of Being Second Best
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Unexpected birthday party
It’s time for an unexpected celebration and we look ... more
May 10 2024 49m
Exploring Eco-Friendly, Scientific Birthday Traditions
Chapter 1 15 mins
Innovations in Baking and Age Calculations
Chapter 2 6 mins
The Science of Singing Happy Birthday
Chapter 3 22 sec
Fast-Paced Rendition of 'Happy Birthday' Song
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Horsey driverless cars and competitive cloning
The sight of horses running wild in a city leads pan... more
May 3 2024 49m
Asteroid Apophis Buzzing Earth in 2029
Chapter 1 11 mins
Exploring Horses and Human Relationships
Chapter 2 14 mins
Horses and Autonomous Vehicles
Chapter 3 6 mins
Snake Discoveries and Robotic Inspiration
Chapter 4 6 mins
Supernatural Experiences and Alphabet Origins
Chapter 5 12 mins
History of Alphabet and Incoming Asteroid
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
A Scientific Scéance
Light the candles, cross your legs and follow the Un... more
Apr 26 2024 50m
The Last Total Solar Eclipse Predicted
Chapter 1 6 mins
Exploring Psychic Scams and Science
Chapter 2 11 mins
Debunking Psychic Powers and Cognitive Biases
Chapter 3 7 mins
Challenges and Progress in Malaria Vaccines
Chapter 4 10 mins
Misinformation Surrounding Malaria Vaccines
Chapter 5 4 mins
Remembering Early Computer Experiences
Chapter 6 12 mins
Potential Last Solar Eclipse on Earth
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Computer memories and quantum futures
These days, over a trillion semiconductor microchips... more
Apr 19 2024 49m
Exploring Quantum Computing and Interconnected Technology
Chapter 1 15 mins
The Global Microchip Shortage
Chapter 2 13 mins
Understanding Quantum Computing
Chapter 3 14 mins
Innovative Teaching Methods and Unique Names
Chapter 4 5 mins
Algae & Plants
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Beyoncé, banjos and dancing chemistry
Beyonce's new album tops the charts with a reapprais... more
Apr 12 2024 49m
Innovative Chemistry Education Through Dance
Chapter 1 14 mins
Unexpected Elements Global Panel
Chapter 2 9 mins
Innovative Chemistry Education Through Music
Chapter 3 14 mins
Naming Species and Click Chemistry
Chapter 4 12 mins
The Shrinking Earth
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Unexpected Elections
In a year when billions of people have been go to th... more
Apr 5 2024 50m
Predicting Elections Using Social Media
Chapter 1 9 mins
Podcast Exploration of Political Persuasion
Chapter 2 7 mins
Predicting Election Outcomes Using Social Media
Chapter 3 7 mins
Understanding First-Time Voters and Electoral Hostility
Chapter 4 13 mins
Solar Eclipse Chasing and Science
Chapter 5 7 mins
Sympathy, Hair Growth, DIY Batteries
Chapter 6 7 mins
Electric Battery Safety and Noise Pollution
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
G.O.A.T
Can you put a price on the perfect athlete? In baseb... more
Mar 28 2024 50m
Shohei Otani's Athletic Success
Chapter 1 6 mins
Unprecedented Sports Contract and Baseball Superstar
Chapter 2 10 mins
Predicting Sporting Potential Through Genetic Testing
Chapter 3 6 mins
Forest Fires and Goat Firefighters
Chapter 4 8 mins
Unexpected Discoveries and Global Issues
Chapter 5 13 mins
Fan Clubs, Efficiency, and Gravitational Waves
Chapter 6 5 mins
Extreme Ultra-Marathon Runner Achievements
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Ancient Water, Modern Solutions
In a week of headlines about water shortages slowing... more
Mar 21 2024 50m
Bacteria-Powered Nanowires for Electricity Generation
Chapter 1 11 mins
Global Water Crisis and Cloud Seeding
Chapter 2 6 mins
Melting Ice and Innovative Solutions
Chapter 3 4 mins
Ancient Rocks and Water Exploration
Chapter 4 7 mins
Exploring Mars & Water Tech Innovations
Chapter 5 13 mins
Coral Settlement and Speed Listening
Chapter 6 9 mins
The Future of Dream Hacking
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Fandom: The Next Generation
Passionate K-Pop fans send us on a journey into the ... more
Mar 14 2024 50m
Highlight
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Unexpected Oscars
As award season reaches its climax in the US, Unexpe... more
Mar 7 2024 50m
Nature's Disappearance of Animal Bodies
Chapter 1 16 mins
Unexpected Oscars
Chapter 2 15 mins
Music's Impact on Heart Health
Chapter 3 17 mins
Innovative Mammogram Machines and Listener Interaction
Chapter 4 2 mins
West African Cinema and Nollywood
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Leaping in Sync
As the leap year helps to keep us in sync with the s... more
Feb 29 2024 50m
Synchronization Across Different Environments
Chapter 1 14 mins
Climate Change Effects on Animal Adaptation
Chapter 2 3 mins
Perfect Solar System Resonance Configuration
Chapter 3 13 mins
Planetary Resonance and New Discoveries
Chapter 4 7 mins
ChatGPT Legal Battle
Chapter 5 10 mins
Reimagining Science Amid Ukraine Invasion
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Going the Distance
A scientific tribute to to the successes and potenti... more
Feb 22 2024 50m
Champion Animal Middle Distance Runners
Chapter 1 15 mins
The Science of East African Runners
Chapter 2 7 mins
The Science of Endurance Running
Chapter 3 13 mins
Invasive Ant Threatens African Savanna
Chapter 4 13 mins
Risks and Impact of Deep Fakes
Chapter 5 23 sec
Global Panel Thanks Producers
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Not So Random Acts of Kindness
Ahead of international Random Acts of Kindness Day, ... more
Feb 15 2024 50m
Surprise and Secrecy in Unexpected Elements
Chapter 1 14 mins
Unexpected Elements
Chapter 2 8 mins
Compassionate Engineering and Improving Design
Chapter 3 12 mins
Lost Cities Discovered in Amazon Forest
Chapter 4 15 mins
Kindness and Valentine's Day Celebrations
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full
mute button
Deep in Thought
Brain implants have been sparking conversation about... more
Feb 8 2024 50m
Exploring Mind Reading and Brain Reconstruction
Chapter 1 7 mins
Mind-Reading and Future Brain Fingerprinting
Chapter 2 14 mins
Exploring Mind Reading and Brain Mapping
Chapter 3 16 mins
Self-Powering Sensors and Color-Changing Tattoos
Chapter 4 9 mins
Benefits and Controversies of Fresh Juice
Chapter 5 2 mins
Failed Spying Cat and Neural Implants
Like
Clip
Share
Transcript
More
Play Full