NOVA: Hunting the Elements

New York Times technology reporter David Pogue delves into the periodic table, which consists of the elements that are the building blocks of everything in the universe. Along the way, he explains why some elements, such as gold and platinum, are relatively stable and others, including phosphorus and potassium, are explosive. He also visits a New Mexico Tech research lab and joins scientist Theodore Gray for several experiments, including one that combines sodium and chlorine gases.