In filmmaker Tim Usborne's entertaining three-part BBC-aired documentary, nuclear physicist and university professor Jim Al-Khalili chronicles the development of atomic science, which is presented as the foundational underpinning of physics, chemistry, and biology. The first program, “Clash of the Titans,” tells the story of the great scientists who raced to unlock the secrets of the atom. In 1905, an ambitious young physicist named Albert Einstein conclusively proved the atom's existence with his study on why pollen “danced” in water rather than staying inert. Renowned figures, including Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford, joined the fray, extending our knowledge while often conducting surprisingly bitter, personal rivalries with other scientists. Part two, “Key to the Cosmos,” explores how atomic research led to world-changing discoveries, as in Marie Curie's study of radioactivity, along with new theories such as the Big Bang. Also covered are components of the subatomic world and the “cosmic cauldrons” of the stars. In the last segment, “Illusion of Reality,” Al-Khalili tackles such questions as the nature of reality itself, venturing into the fascinating realm of parallel universes, while also explaining terms and concepts such as quarks, anti-matter, and Schrodinger's cat. DVD extras include Spanish subtitles. Highlighting the vivid personalities who competed yet also fed off each other's creativity in an ongoing effort to reveal “nature's secret code,” this inspiring documentary is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Atom
(2010) 3 discs. 180 min. DVD: $99.99 (educator’s guide included). Ambrose Video Publishing. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 26, Issue 2
Atom
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