In the latest Physics World Weekly podcast, we present the second round in our Battle of the Elements contest. To celebrate 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table, Physics World editors have been arguing the cases for their favourite elements over the past few weeks. First up, Tami Freeman makes the case for technetium, Michael Banks argues that helium is no lightweight, and Anna Demming argues for carbon. To cast your vote for one of these elements visit our Twitter page and three more Physics World journalists will make the case for their element next week.

We also chat about how reactor physics is depicted in the television miniseries Chernobyl and learn why habitable zones for alien life could be smaller than previously thought.