Bang Goes the Theory - Season 4

In the first of a new series, Bang Goes the Theory looks at the science behind the recent devastating Japanese earthquake and the tsunami it triggered. The programme explains what happened and examines the technology that attempts to protect us from the shocking power of our planet.

In the second episode of the series, Liz follows two couples undertaking IVF and looks at the new research that may dramatically increase success rates. Jem attempts to become the first man to go 360 degrees on a playground swing. And Dr Yan confuses shoppers with the help of a very special mirror.

Dallas goes supersonic and meets the team behind a 1000mph car. Jem looks at what makes stuff sticky and makes homemade glues to test out on the other presenters and Dr Yan puzzles commuters with an optical illusion.

Jem explains what a calorie is by making the rest of the gang take part in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Yan is at the Houses of Parliament to test the ability of MPs to calculate risk. Liz attempts to find out why effective antibiotics are in short supply.

Jem Stansfield explains lasers on the 50th anniversary of their invention, Dallas takes part in a Citizen Science experiment and Dr. Yan calculates the speed of light.

Liz looks at the controversial science of genetically modified crops in Hawaii. Dallas tries to remedy Jem's dust allergy by making him eat worms. And Dr Yan tries to shatter a glass by playing the violin.

This episode of the series that reveals your world with a bang has a royal wedding theme. Jem builds a singing road as a present for the royal couple. Dr Yan explains the science of dad dancing. And Liz uses DNA to track her family tree right back to the earliest humans.

Jem visits a mega-plant in Sussex to investigate the future of recycling. Dallas explains how GPS works and how it is changing our world, and Dr Yan uses science to crack the classic magic trick in which a table cloth is whipped from under a dinner service.