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Science, Maths & Technology
Flame cutting
A stream of high purity oxygen is directed onto a small pre-heated area on the surface of the workpiece, igniting the metal and oxidising it, removing material and creating the kerf.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Plasma arc cutting
An electrical arc is formed between the plasma torch (-ve) and the workpiece (+ve). Plasma passes through a constricting fine bore nozzle, creating a high velocity, high-temperature jet of plasma that transfers the arc to the workpiece, melting away material to form the kerf.
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Nature & Environment
How is the IPCC helping scientists talk about climate change?
Climate change is about massive narrative and minute details. How can scientists help the wider public understand the changing planet?
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Science, Maths & Technology
Building Stories
Meet the architects and explore the stories behind some of Britain's most iconic buildings.
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History & The Arts
‘Irrational emotions’ and their cognitive impenetrability
Raamy Majeed considers ‘irrational’ and ‘recalcitrant’ emotions and the various theories attached to these cognitive and emotional responses.
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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Vaccination
Vaccinations are now considered a part of everyday life, but how do they work? Vaccination is a free course that will help those with a background in biology understand the historical development of vaccination, assess the various types of vaccines used today, examine their production and explore the limitations that are placed on vaccination ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Just six numbers
To Professor Sir Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, the essential nature of the cosmos and the evolution of the entire world have been determined by just six numbers...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Queen (and Slave) Of The Sciences
Katie Chicot explains why numbers make the world go round.
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Money & Business
How have family budgets changed in sixty years?
The government has been gathering data about household outgoings for six decades. It tracks social and structural changes over those times, says the ONS' Joanna Bulman.
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Science, Maths & Technology
What danger do asteroids pose to life on earth?
It was a huge asteroid that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, so what damage could smaller asteroids do to life on earth. Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences at The Open University, Monica Grady, explores the issue.
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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Water for life
Atoms, elements and molecules are the building blocks of everything that makes up our world, including ourselves. In this free course, Water for life, you will learn the basic chemistry of how these components work together, starting with a chemical compound we are all very familiar with water.
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Science, Maths & Technology
How much money does the UK really contribute to the European Union?
You've seen the bus. You've heard the arguments. But what does the Office For National Statistics say about the UK's actual net contribution to the EU budget?