Iodine

About this video

Dr Andrea Sella explores the elements

In this new series from the Wellcome Collection, EPSRC Senior Media Fellow Andrea Sella puts the element iodine through its paces. Although most of us may be familiar with the element as a brownish / orange liquid, its name actually originates from the Greek word for violet or purple, which just happens to be the colour of iodine vapour.

In this film, Andrea Sella looks at some of the properties of iodine, including its importance to our diet and a remarkable demonstration in which he reveals the beautiful purple colouration of its gas phase.

You can explore further elements with Andrea Sella here.