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Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements DVD

$24.99
Item #: WB7592
The Mystery of Matter is an exciting PBS series about one of the great adventures in the history of science: the long (and continuing) quest to understand what the world is made of - to identify, understand and organize the basic building blocks of matter.
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The Mystery of Matter is an exciting PBS series about one of the great adventures in the history of science: the long (and continuing) quest to understand what the world is made of - to identify, understand and organize the basic building blocks of matter.

Episodes introduce viewers to some of history's most extraordinary scientists: Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier, whose discovery of oxygen - and radical interpretation of it - led to the modern science of chemistry; Humphry Davy, who made electricity a powerful new tool in the search for elements; Dmitri Mendeleev, whose Periodic Table brought order to the growing gaggle of elements; Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking research on radioactivity cracked open a window into the atom; Harry Moseley, whose discovery of atomic number redefined the Periodic Table; and Glenn Seaborg, whose discovery of plutonium opened up a whole new realm of elements, still being explored today.

Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements shows us not only what these scientific explorers discovered but also how, using Broadway-caliber actors to reveal the creative process through the scientists' own words, and conveying their landmark discoveries through re-enactments shot with working replicas of their original lab equipment. Knitting these strands together into a coherent, entertaining whole is host Michael Emerson, a two-time Emmy Award-winning actor. 

Producer: Stephen Lyons
Production Company: Moreno/Lyons Productions LLC.
Production Year: 2015
Copyright Year: 2015
Rating: TV-PG
Host: Michael Emerson
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 180 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

22 Reviews
B
Bj
Verified Buyer
4.0 star rating
11/07/21
Mystery of Matter
Review by Bj on 11/07/21 review stating Mystery of Matter
Mystery of Matter seems very good but am still not finished watching it.
B
B B.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Most Excellent For Younger Minds
Review by B B. on 07/17/20 review stating Most Excellent For Younger Minds
Ordering this for my Grandson and myself. He is studying the period table in 6 th grade science. Being a chemist myself, I feel this is spot on for his grade as it is very fundamental.
M
Mercouri A.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
The history of science
Review by Mercouri A. on 07/17/20 review stating The history of science
PBS gives my family the opportunity to learn about subjects to which we wouldnt otherwise be exposed. The subjects are presented in an entertaining format which brings us all together.
S
Strom B.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Mystery Matter
Review by Strom B. on 07/17/20 review stating Mystery Matter
I didnt know what a struggle it was for scientists to figure out the elements. Interesting stories and the acting was NOT cheesy.
J
John K.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
The stories make things come alive
Review by John K. on 07/17/20 review stating The stories make things come alive
This DVD really enhances the development of the Periodic Table. There is a type of magic to see just how elements were discovered and they are fit into the puzzle of the Periodic Table. My students benefited greatly from the information in the telling of the story. Thanks
R
Rkl
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Understanding Matter - A Thorough Historical Development
Review by Rkl on 07/17/20 review stating Understanding Matter - A Thorough Historical Development
Excellent historical development of mankinds understanding of matter. This video is a well crafted dramatized presentation of key individuals, their discoveries and conceptual developments that led to our present view of what makes up our physical universe. The script is written so as to both clearly explain ideas and to inspire young future scientists. Well done!
L
Lab A.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
This Matter Matters
Review by Lab A. on 07/17/20 review stating This Matter Matters
I found it so delightfully educational Im going to arrange for my 6th grade grandson to watch it with me. Hell understand most of the concepts and the period dramatizations will keep his attention.
C
Consumer
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Makes it easier for non-scientists to undeerstand
Review by Consumer on 07/17/20 review stating Makes it easier for non-scientists to undeerstand
Fascinating science for the non-scientist. How things were discovered is easily understood and not so off-putting as the approach to science used in schools, for the non-scientist, I mean. With no technical skills in science and baffled by mathematics, it presents a way to appreciate and remember the scientific waypoints.
M
Martha
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Fascinating!
Review by Martha on 07/17/20 review stating Fascinating!
Very interesting, informative well done
J
Jr
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
I love this video
Review by Jr on 07/17/20 review stating I love this video
I love this video because it really showed the ingenious ways scientists went about figuring out what the elements are and how they are related to one another. Its rare that a program shines such a light on the scientific process. I enjoyed it so much that after watching it on PBS, I bought the DVD.
N
Nicki
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Superb
Review by Nicki on 07/17/20 review stating Superb
Basic Chemistry par excellence!
P
Professor
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Dramatic Science
Review by Professor on 07/17/20 review stating Dramatic Science
The questions that spur scientific discoveries are asked by real people -- like the scientists in history who wondered about the world and labored to unearth its secrets. Dramatic recreations of their quests reveal the humans behind science.
W
Winki
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Entralling for ages 8 to 80!
Review by Winki on 07/17/20 review stating Entralling for ages 8 to 80!
Extraordinary depiction of the curiosity that drives scientific discovery. Genius plays a role, but this shows the stubborn determination and inventiveness required to answer questions which lead to fundamental advances. One of the most compelling videos that shows how exciting science can be.
K
Kemlady
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Excellent mini-series
Review by Kemlady on 07/17/20 review stating Excellent mini-series
Recreates experiments using period glassware, showing what it was really like for the historical figures to do the science. Narrator is great with a dry wit and understated delivery.
J
Joe
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Mystery of Matter DVD
Review by Joe on 07/17/20 review stating Mystery of Matter DVD
The disk came on time. I was very pleased to be able to watch this presentation a second and third time. Great teaching tool.
A
Albertotrumpet
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Easy to understand development of the Periodic Table
Review by Albertotrumpet on 07/17/20 review stating Easy to understand development of the Periodic Table
Showed in segments, with a short writing assignment after each, to my students. They enjoyed it and now have a deeper appreciation for Chemistry
S
Scientist
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Enjoyable presentation of history of science
Review by Scientist on 07/17/20 review stating Enjoyable presentation of history of science
Very enjoyable presentation of the history of our understanding of the atom. You learn the science facts in school, but often not the history of how they were obtained and the aha! moments of the great scientists who figured it all out!
R
Rose
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Wonderful Program!
Review by Rose on 07/17/20 review stating Wonderful Program!
I love how it made. Its beautiful and yet, very informative.
P
Prince
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Mystery of Matte
Review by Prince on 07/17/20 review stating Mystery of Matte
it is so great i love it
D
David
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
A must have for the engineer or scientist!
Review by David on 07/17/20 review stating A must have for the engineer or scientist!
Absolutely a masterpiece of historic, scientific knowledge.

Highlighted Customer Reviews


W
Wingit reviewed Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements DVD
5 star rating
Great for science class
Review by Wingit review stating Great for science class
I learned the periodic tables long ago, (1950s)but never got to understand what they all were and want to share with my grandchildren especially one who is a jr. high science school teacher
P
Pistol M. reviewed Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements DVD
5 star rating
As Good As Expected and Then Some
Review by Pistol M. review stating As Good As Expected and Then Some
This program is for the kid in you that says WHY all the time. I always wondered how the early experimenters even began to figure out how to ask and delve into how rocks, etc. were made. Even the story of the Alchemists was a bit vague but this documentary is exquisite and I bought it for myself then will buy more copies for all the grand kids, someone must be as curious as grandma.
D
David reviewed Mystery of Matter: Search For the Elements DVD
5 star rating
A must have for the engineer or scientist!
Review by David review stating A must have for the engineer or scientist!
Absolutely a masterpiece of historic, scientific knowledge.

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