Natural resources

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  • Water pouring into a drinking glass
    The Mole

    From ground to tap

    1 March 2014

    Sue Thompson leads us through the journey water takes from underground to our drinking glass

  • Christmas tree
    Feature

    Terpenes: not just for Christmas

    7 January 2014

    The chemicals that give Christmas trees their pine fresh smell could be at the centre of a chemical revolution, as Josh Howgego explains

  • Beetroot
    Elements

    Manganese

    6 November 2013

    John Emsley looks at the element that has been essential to humanity since before the stone age

  • 0513EiC-ELEMENTS-Fig1300tb
    Elements

    Phosphorus

    2 September 2013

    John Emsley looks at the element that's the devil in disguise

  • washing line
    The Mole

    Trade secrets... Bio or non-bio washing powder?

    1 May 2013

    Secrets of the trade: Jonathan Hare looks at the science of getting your clothes clean

  • 0313EiC_Element_pg012_180
    Elements

    Neon

    1 May 2013

    John Emsley looks at the element that shines brightly and keeps cool but continues to puzzle

  • 0213EiC_Element_pg012_180
    Elements

    Tungsten

    1 March 2013

    John Emsley looks at the heavy metal that makes light work of tough jobs

  • 50
    Elements

    Tin

    1 January 2013

    In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Education in Chemistry, John Emsley takes a look at the 50th element

  • The-Elements_pg013_250
    Elements

    Lithium

    1 November 2012

    John Emsley investigates the element that is the lightest of metals and celebrated in song

  • FEATURE_Chemistry of Pottery_pg017_200.jpg
    Feature

    The chemistry of pottery

    1 July 2012

    Pottery vessels have been made for around 18,000 years. But how does clay extracted from the earth become a colourful pot, and what's the chemistry behind the process?