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Got a passion for science? Find out about studying science at The Open University.
The most recent programme
In the eighth and final episode of the new series, Philippa takes her pet to a lab to find out how dogs can be good for people's health. You can also catch up and read about all the other episodes in series 6.
Get your free Matrix of Modern Life poster
The Open University
A free poster from The Open University that explores the colourful connections between different parts of science, engineering and technology—presented in the inimitable Bang style Read more : Get your free Matrix of Modern Life poster
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Elements of the Periodic Table
The Open University
Explore the impact of chemical elements on our bodies, the world around us and see how their discover changed the course of history Read more : Elements of the Periodic Table
Bang on the road
Ian Johnston
The Open University joins forces with the Bang Goes The Theory team to bring hands-on science to crowds at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. Read more : Bang on the road
Bang Goes The Theory comes to DVD
The Open University
Great news for fans of Bang, as the first two series come to DVD. Read more : Bang Goes The Theory comes to DVD
An auditory illusion: The Shepard Tone
vernhart under CC-BY-NC-SA licence
It's been called the sonic barber's pole - but what does the Shepard Tone sound like? Try it for yourself... Read more : An auditory illusion: The Shepard Tone
More Bang on bbc.co.uk
BBC screen shot
Find out more about the team and the challenges they face - and watch online. Read more : More Bang on bbc.co.uk
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Matrix of modern life
I received my BANG Matrix of modern life poster today. I was rather surprised to find that the OU cannot spell Sulphuric Acid. It appeared on the poster as SULFURIC ACID. Creeping Americanism no doubt, but it has no place in a British University.
Bob.
I can spell "sulfuric" perfectly well, thank you.
"Sulfuric" is the British spelling, or at least it is now. After many years of divergence between "Britain" and "everyone else" IUPAC (the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) settled on "sulfur" in 1990. The Royal Society of Chemistry followed suit in 1992 (which probably means that the ph spelling is now technically treason) and the QCA recommended the f spelling for school exams in 2000.
There is a little more detail on wikipedia: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur#Spelling_and_etymology
You'll be relieved, I am sure, to know that "aluminium" looks safe for the foreseeable future.
Dr Ian Johnston
Author, "Matrix of Modern Life"