Scientists at the University of Nottingham in the UK have developed an award-winning site called The Periodic Table of Videos. It’s a wacky collection of videos that are based on the periodic table. 

These experiments toss everyday objects under the wheels of the elements just to see how they hold up. Since our namesake is part of the table, we thought we’d share five of our favorites:

Silver: a.k.a. Atomic number 47

In ancient times, stubbing your toe on a chunk of silver during a midnight run to the loo was not an uncommon event. Since this time the evolution of silver as a valuable commodity in the industrial world has taken many forms. Silver is considered a natural antibacterial agent; the invention of the proverbial silver spoon may have been in light of this realization. Your favorite movies were also likely created with the help of light-sensitive silver salts.  At the brink of WWII, the infamous Manhattan Project used massive amount of silver – courtesy of the US Treasury – to assist in making the world’s first nuclear bomb, according to University of Nottingham Professor Martyn Poliakoff.

For a metal, silver definitely gets around. Scientists at NU recently tested the reactivity of silver in a little competition known as a reactivity series of metals. Check out the copper vs. silver death match that transpired.

Gold: a.k.a. Atomic Number 79

The antisocial behavior of gold – that of resisting the charms of oxygen and other elements – makes it immune to the wind and weather grief that causes degradation.  Interestingly enough, it is gold’s inability to bond with other elements is actually the key to its survival on earth.  In this video, NU scientists use a Rumplestiltskin-like chamber to spin a cheap Casio watch into a shiny gold-coated one.

Uranium: a.k.a. Atomic Number 92

NU scientists feel that one code name just isn’t enough when it comes to uranium. So, the element is more commonly referred to as the “boogeyman of the periodic table” in their labs. This ominous title actually refers to uranium-235, the form of uranium that is used to make nuclear weapons. In fact, the common idiom “splitting the atom” actually refers to the removal of uranium-235 from uranium-238, a more freely used form of uranium that is used in powering nuclear energy plants.

Carbon: a.k.a. Atomic Number 6

Carbon is the sixth most abundant element in the universe. Every living thing contains carbon and more molecules contain carbon than any other element. This is due to carbon’s fondness of “hooking up” with whomever and whatever it meets as explained in this periodic table video. Diamonds, pencil “lead,” plastics and many pharmaceutical products all exist because of carbon. Carbon is also an effective tool used by scientists to find the age of living and once living things. It is rumored that you can find out the real ages of those you love by counting the rings around their midriff sections. Let us know how that turns out.

Oxygen: a.k.a. Atomic Number 8

Oxygen plays many roles in sustaining and injuring life. When it mixes with hydrogen it is transformed into water; mixing with most metals results in oxidation – rust ring a bell? – like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The collision of oxygen with pollutants also aids in the breakdown of your body’s cells, hence the need for cell repairing antioxidants. Now that I’ve got your attention, let the UN gang show you what else oxygen can do.