The Elements: A Very Short Introduction
ISBN13: 9780192840998ISBN10: 0192840991
Paperback,
186 pages
Jul 2004,
In Stock
Price:
$11.95 (03)See more from the series
Description
This Very Short Introduction is an exciting and non-traditional approach to understanding the terminology, properties, and classification of chemical elements. It traces the history and cultural impact of the elements on humankind, and examines why people have long sought to identify the substances around them. The book includes chapters on particular elements such as gold, iron, and oxygen, showing how they shaped culture and technology. Looking beyond the Periodic Table, the author examines our relationship with matter, from the uncomplicated vision of the Greek philosophers, who believed there were four elements--earth, air, fire, and water--to the work of modern-day scientists in creating elements such as hassium and meitnerium. Packed with anecdotes, The Elements is a highly engaging and entertaining exploration of the fundamental question: what is the world made from?Features
- 'A delight of a book.... Elegantly written...it's far-reaching, entertaining and salted with anecdote.... It could become a classic. Hold on to your first edition.' Roy Herbert, New Scientist.
- An engaging chronology of the elements, from the Greek philosophers who thought the world was made only from earth, air, fire, and water, to the work of twentieth-century radiochemistry in extending the Periodic Table.
- An exciting and non-traditional approach to understanding the terminology, properties, and classification of chemical elements.
- Includes chapters on particular elements (gold, iron, oxygen, etc), showing how they shaped culture and technology.
- Philip Ball is a high-profile science writer, who writes science extremely well for non-scientists.
Reviews
"A delight of a book.... Elegantly written...far-reaching, entertaining and salted with anecdote.... It could become a classic."--New Scientist
"Ball brings the periodic table to life."--Discover
"Philip Ball's book is an excellent introduction."--Chemistry and Industry
"The book contains some delightful anecdotes."--Times Higher Educational Supplement (London)
Product Details
186 pages; 6 halftones, 9 line illus.; 4-1/2 x 7; ISBN13: 978-0-19-284099-8ISBN10: 0-19-284099-1About the Author(s)
Philip Ball is a science writer and a consultant editor for Nature and the author of Designing the Molecular World, The Self-Made Tapestry, H20: A Biography of Water, and Stories of the Invisible: A Guided Tour of Molecules.
