Chemical Element Symbols

[becs]

I've had a poster of the periodic table next to my desk for about 15 years so I tend to know them.

I'm made of copper and tellurium

 

[Arkle]

It was celebrity Pointless (and a kids' TV special at this - Horrible Histories versus Balamory in a fight to the death) that this was on so not necessarily a fair reflection on the general public.

I remember the more common elements but don't have an encyclopoedic knowledge.

 

[PinzaC55]

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[Scotsmackem]

There are always rounds on Pointless concerning these, and the contestants are, on the whole, useless at them.
Are the (non-scientific) public really so unaware of them? I mean, it's something we all learnt at school and I can't believe people can't hazard a guess at what carbon or hydrogen might be. But having always been a scientist it's just something I take for granted.

Anyway, here's the kind of thing they had to guess at this week. Can you non-geeks get them?

Film titles:


Sulphur hydrogen rhenium potassium

Polonium cobolt hydrogen oxygen nitrogen tantalum sulphur

Carbon hydrogen, iodine, carbon, silver, oxygen

Titanium tantalum nickel carbon

Shrek
Pocohontas
Chicago
Titanic

 

[zwartekat]

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I have no idea why that is funny but it is.

 

[AlpineExile]

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My gran used to make me gargle that stuff when I had a throat infection.

 

[PinzaC55]

I have no idea why that is funny but it is.

He drank a glass of Hydrogen Peroxide ( H20 , too )

 

[becs]

I have no idea why that is funny but it is.

H2o2 is hydrogen peroxide.

Edit: damn beaten to it by milliseconds

 

[WheyHey]

I have this tea towel. It's childish but it make me laugh

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[Arkle]

Shrek
Pocohontas
Chicago
Titanic

Up was the fifth one on the show.

 

[zwartekat]

He drank a glass of Hydrogen Peroxide ( H20 , too )

P155 off, swot.

H2o2 is hydrogen peroxide.

Edit: damn beaten to it by milliseconds

P155 off, swot.

 

[Snugster]

@peachbum s been swinging the lead quite a bit.

Her real name is plumbum?

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[Scotsmackem]

Up was the fifth one on the show.

Uranium (?) Phosphorous

 

[j.w]

I have absolutely no idea what the fuck is going on here

 

[Dave Herbal]

Can we just point out that Dave is a chemical engineer? Does this have any bearing here?

How very dare you. I'm a metallurgist.

I'm made of copper and tellurium

You certainly are

 

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

How very dare you. I'm a metallurgist.

Have you ever tested a massive bell?

Iron carbon potassium oxygen fluorine2 helium rubidium aluminium


Nee prizes like

 

[Hongkongphooey]

Police academy 1,2,3 and 4

 

[Arkle]

Uranium (?) Phosphorous

Aye.

 

[taipeisafc]

Can we just point out that Dave is a chemical engineer? Does this have any bearing here?

I thought he was a metallurgist?

 

[Deleted member 30853]

There are always rounds on Pointless concerning these, and the contestants are, on the whole, useless at them.
Are the (non-scientific) public really so unaware of them? I mean, it's something we all learnt at school and I can't believe people can't hazard a guess at what carbon or hydrogen might be. But having always been a scientist it's just something I take for granted.

Anyway, here's the kind of thing they had to guess at this week. Can you non-geeks get them?

Film titles:


Sulphur hydrogen rhenium potassium

Polonium cobolt hydrogen oxygen nitrogen tantalum sulphur

Carbon hydrogen, iodine, carbon, silver, oxygen

Titanium tantalum nickel carbon

Shrek

Pocohontas

Chicago

Titanic

Piss easy!!!