James May's Things You Need to Know

The series delves into chemistry’s hidden wonders, probing questions that range from the feasibility of using beer as a jet fuel to the age‑old alchemical quest of turning lead into gold. Each episode examines the science behind these intriguing possibilities.

The programme is a chemistry‑focused episode that sets out to untangle some of the discipline’s most puzzling questions. It presents itself as a straightforward look at scientific curiosities, aiming to give viewers a clear picture of how chemistry can intersect with everyday ideas. In this particular instalment the show tackles two striking concepts. First, it asks whether the carbonation and alcohol in beer could actually be harnessed to power a jet engine, probing the chemistry behind fuel combustion and energy density. The second enquiry examines the age‑old alchemical dream of turning lead into gold, testing the plausibility of transmuting one element into another through modern chemical processes. Beyond those headline topics, the episode walks the audience through the underlying principles that make such ideas intriguing. It outlines the reactions that would be required, the challenges of scaling laboratory chemistry to practical applications, and the scientific reasoning that separates myth from measurable fact. By keeping the discussion grounded in real chemical theory, the programme offers a concise yet thorough look at how far imagination can stretch when it meets the rigours of chemistry.