Ask
ASK the scientists any questions you have about science.
Chat
CHAT with the scientists in a 30 minute long text chat booked by your teacher.
Vote
VOTE for your favourite scientist to win a £500 prize to spend on communicating more science.
Molecule Zone
A sugar molecule | Image: Wikimedia
A molecule is the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist. They are made up of atoms that are stuck together in a particular form. In gases like air, molecules are just flying around.
In liquids like water, molecules are stuck together but can still move around, which lets us pour liquids. In solids like sugar, the molecules are stuck together and can only vibrate.
This is a general chemistry zone, where you will meet chemists based in Scotland. One designs new drugs from toxins to treat pain, another covers microscopic gold rods with molecules from tea to diagnose infections quicker, and another researching the science of pressure cooking to make crystals. You’ll also meet a chemist making molecules that use energy from the Sun to split carbon dioxide apart, another working in a lab to try and make drugs that kill pesky parasites, whilst another simply wants to know how chemistry controls the cosmos.