The disappearing spoon : and other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the periodic table of the elements

Kean, Sam.

Book 2011

The periodic table of the elements is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of passion, adventure, obsession, and betrayal. These tales follow carbon, neon, silicon, gold, and all the elements in the table as they play out their parts in human history. The usual suspects are here, like Marie Curie (and her radioactive journey to the discovery of polonium and radium) and William Shockley (who is credited, not exactly ju...

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Chemical elements Miscellanea

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Trivia and miscellanea

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ISBN:

9780316051637
0316051632

Edition:

First Back Bay paperback edition

Description:

vi, 391, 9 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 377) and index

Contents:

Orientation : column by column, row by row. Geography is destiny ; Near twins and black sheep : the genealogy of elements ; The Galápagos of the periodic table
Making atoms, breaking atoms. Where atoms come from : "We are all star stuff" ; Elements in time of war ; Completing the table-- with a bang ; Extending the table, expanding the Cold War
Periodic confusion : the emergence of complexity. From physics to biology ; Poisoner's corridor : "Ouch-ouch" ; Take two elements, call me in the morning ; How elements deceive
The elements of human character. Political elements ; Elements as money ; Artistic elements ; An element of madness
Element science today and tomorrow. Chemistry way, way below zero ; Spheres of splendor : the science of bubbles ; Tools of ridiculous precision ; Above (and beyond) the periodic table

Control Number:

813125

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