As the central science that bridges biology and physics, chemistry explains the diversity of all things tangible at a molecular level. Chemistry is the science of matter - its composition, structure, properties, and how it changes. Understand chemistry and you'll know why some things oxidize and others explode; why food is good to eat and coal is not. Understand chemistry and know what reasonable expectations you can have of a product, and how to separate fact from fiction. Chemistry is the heart of cooking, it can keep you safe, and it explains why things work. This book brings the subject out of the lab and boils it down to its essential elements - in just a minute.

An eye-opening, original collection of gorgeous, never-before-seen photographic representations of the 118 elements in the periodic table. The elements are what we, and everything around us, are made of. But how many elements has anyone actually seen in pure, uncombined form? The Elements provides this rare opportunity. Based on five years of research and photography, the pictures in this book make up the most complete, and visually arresting, representation available to the naked eye of every atom in the universe. Organized in order of appearance on the periodic table, each element is represented by a spread that includes a stunning, full-page, full-color photograph that most closely represents it in its purest form. For example, at -183°C, oxygen turns from a colorless gas to a beautiful pale blue liquid. Also included are fascinating facts, figures, and stories of the elements as well as data on the properties of each, including atomic weight, density, melting and boiling point, valence, electronegativity, and the year and location in which it was discovered. Several additional photographs show each element in slightly altered forms or as used in various practical ways. The element's position on the periodic table is pinpointed on a mini rendering of the table and an illustrated scale of the element's boiling and/or melting points appears on each page along with a density scale that runs along the bottom. Packed with interesting information, this combination of solid science and stunning artistic photographs is the perfect gift book for every sentient creature in the universe.

For anyone interested in the tiny building blocks of our universe, Matt Tweed-the illustrator of Useful Mathematical & Physical Formulae-offers a fascinating introduction to the complex and beautiful world of the elements. Tweed reveals the principal properties and interactions of substances familiar (carbon, oxygen, water) and unfamiliar (rare earth elements and subatomic particles). He explains atomic bonding, radioactivity, and DNA, and presents alternative ways of visualizing the periodic table, as well as a succinct synthesis of the Big Bang. Scientists and laymen alike will be entranced.

Demonstrations and brief profiles explain how ancient alchemists stumbled on the science of chemistry, revealing the unrealized theoretical understandings of European alchemists who discovered the properties and reactions of elements.

Best-selling author Theodore Gray is back with all-new, spectacular experiments that demonstrate basic principles of chemistry and physics in thrilling, and memorable ways. For nearly a decade, Theodore Gray has been demonstrating basic principles of chemistry and physics through exciting, sometimes daredevil experiments that he executes, photographs, and writes about for his monthly Popular Science column "Gray Matter." Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home, But Probably Shouldn't, published by Black Dog in 2009, collected Gray's Popular Science columns, along with hundreds of photographs, many of which were not published with the original columns. Now comes the second volume of mad-scientist experiments, which includes more dramatic, enlightening, and sometimes daring demonstrations in which Gray dips his hand into molten lead to demonstrate the Leidenfrost effect; crushes a tomato between two small magnets to demonstrate the power of neodymium-iron-boron magnets; and creates trinkets out of solid mercury to demonstrate how the state of matter depends very much on the temperature at which it exists. Other experiments include: A foil boat floating on an invisible sea! DIY X-ray photos! A bacon lance that cuts steel! Charging a smart phone with apples and pennies! And dozens more!

A leading earth scientist presents a lyrical history of the essential chemical element of carbon, tracing its origins from shortly after the dawn of creation and the first Big Bang-created atoms to the improbable natural carbon structures of the Earth.

A PROVEN formula for mastering CHEMISTRY Trying to understand chemistry but feel like the information's just not bonding with your brain? Here's your solution. Chemistry Demystified, Second Edition, helps you grasp both fundamental and complex concepts with ease. Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide first covers atomic theory, elements, symbols, and the Periodic Table of the Elements. The book then delves into solids, liquids, gases, solutions, orbitals, chemical bonds, acids, and bases. Electrochemistry, thermodynamics, biochemistry, and organic, environmental, and nuclear chemistry are discussed. In-depth examples, detailed illustrations, and worked-out problems make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce learning. It's a no-brainer! You'll learn about: - Molecular and structural formulas - Metallurgy - Gas laws - Molar mass - Molecular orbital theory - Covalent and ionic bonds - Oxidation/reduction - The laws of thermodynamics - Organic reactions - Biological and environmental markers Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Chemistry Demystified, Second Edition, helps you master this fascinating subject.

Draws on diaries, letters, and family interviews to discusses the lesser-known achievements and scientific insights of the Nobel Prize-winning scientist and producer of radium, documenting how she was compromised by the prejudices of a male-dominated society in spite of her accomplishments. 30,000 first printing.

A blogger and popular science lecturer provides a quirky guide that shows how the periodic table is relevant to our everyday lives and answers questions like what is the chemical symbol for a human and can liquid teleport through walls.