Viewers explore the historic experiments by scientists Thomson and Rutherford, which led to the discovery of subatomic particles and the development of nuclear theory. Students learn the shape of the periodic table is a direct result of the microscopic structure of atoms that make up all the elements. Baic high school chemistry concepts are reinforced, along with clear explanations of the evolution of atomic models through quantum mechanics.

Where do nature's building blocks, called the elements, come from? They're the hidden ingredients of everything in our world, from the carbon in our bodies to the metals in our smartphones. Watch as David Pogue unlocks their secrets.

Take a global tour in four themed episodes, answering the simplest questions about the complex forces that shape our planet. Why is water blue? How can a shape defy gravity? Why do bees make hexagonal honeycombs? And how do these things affect our own lives? Discover what lies beneath Earth's startling beauty as we reveal the secrets of our cosmos and the natural forces that govern everything within it.