Which is the densest element? Which has the largest atoms? And why are some elements radioactive? From the little-known uses of gold in medicine to the development of the hydrogen bomb, this is a fresh new look at the Periodic Table. Combining cutting edge science with fascinating facts and stunning infographics, this book looks at the extraordinary stories of discovery, amazing properties and surprising uses of each elements, whether solid, liquid or gas - naturally occurring, synthesised or theoretical! From hydrogen to oganesson, this is a fact-filled visual guide to each element,each accompanied by technical date (category, atomic number, weight, boiling point) as well as fun facts and stories about their discovery and surprising uses.

Engaging text and photographs vividly showcase each element of the periodic table, offering a heightened sense of the material world to, truly, everyone--from students encountering chemistry in school for the first time to adults with a vague notion of facts learned long ago, to anyone curious and alive to either the aesthetics and the practicalities of "stuff." The photos include a full-page image of the pure element and smaller photos that show how that particular configuration of matter manifests itself in familiar, every-day objects. Gray has a media presence with his science writings; he is also co-founder of the company that created the technical software Mathematica and is a charming interpreter of the sciences for a general audience. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The Guardian's Best Science Book of 2017 The fascinating science and history of the air we breathe It's invisible. It's ever-present. Without it, you would die in minutes. And it has an epic story to tell. In Caesar's Last Breath, New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean takes us on a journey through the periodic table, around the globe, and across time to tell the story of the air we breathe, which, it turns out, is also the story of earth and our existence on it. With every breath, you literally inhale the history of the world. On the ides of March, 44 BC, Julius Caesar died of stab wounds on the Senate floor, but the story of his last breath is still unfolding; in fact, you're probably inhaling some of it now. Of the sextillions of molecules entering or leaving your lungs at this moment, some might well bear traces of Cleopatra's perfumes, German mustard gas, particles exhaled by dinosaurs or emitted by atomic bombs, even remnants of stardust from the universe's creation. Tracing the origins and ingredients of our atmosphere, Kean reveals how the alchemy of air reshaped our continents, steered human progress, powered revolutions, and continues to influence everything we do. Along the way, we'll swim with radioactive pigs, witness the most important chemical reactions humans have discovered, and join the crowd at the Moulin Rouge for some of the crudest performance art of all time. Lively, witty, and filled with the astounding science of ordinary life, Caesar's Last Breath illuminates the science stories swirling around us every second.

Take it step-by-step for chemistry success! The quickest route to learning a subject is through a solid grounding in the basics. So what you won’t find in Easy Chemistry Step-by-Step is a lot of endless drills. Instead, you get a clear explanation that breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand steps that, with the aid of helpful graphics, will enable you to grasp chemistry essentials. Rules and concepts are explained in detail in everyday English, then reinforced by annotated examples and focused exercises that build understanding for work in class and make review for tests and exams more effective. This book features: - Large step-by-step charts breaking down each step within a process and showing clear connections between topics and annotations to clarify difficulties - Stay-in-step panels show how to cope with variations to the core steps - Step-it-up exercises link practice to the core steps already presented - Missteps and stumbles highlight common errors to avoid You can master chemistry as long as you take it Step-by-Step!

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.

Presented with a color-coded system for easily navigating the different groups of elements, this extraordinary combination of amazing science and stunning photography tells the story and uses of the 118 elements that make up the Periodic Table. Original.

Banish bafflement in this tough subject! From formulas and lab techniques to the periodic table, Chemistry for the Utterly Confused focuses on the areas of maximum confusion and breaks down the most difficult chemistry topics into easy-to-understand concepts. This invaluable guide also teaches problem-solving skills you need to master this imposing subject. Whether you're in high school, in college, or simply brushing up on chemistry knowledge, this fun, easily accessible book will make understanding chemistry a breeze.

Sheds new light on the identity of the alchemist Fulcanelli • Provides new understanding of the relationships between the most important figures of the esoteric milieu of Paris in the first half of the 20th century • Includes a wealth of rarely seen documents, photos, and letters Fulcanelli, operative alchemist and author of The Mystery of the Cathedrals and The Dwellings of the Philosophers--two of the most important esoteric works of the twentieth century--remains himself a mystery. The true identity of the man who allegedly succeeded in creating the philosopher's stone has never been discovered, despite ardent searches by many--even the OSS (the wartime U.S. intelligence agency, later to become the CIA) claimed to have looked for him following the end of World War II. Geneviève Dubois looks at the esoteric milieu of Paris at the turn of the century, a time that witnessed a great revival of the alchemical tradition, and investigates some of its salient personalities. Could one of these have been this enigmatic man, reported to have last appeared in Seville, Spain, in 1952 when he would have been 113 years of age? The trail followed by the author encounters such figures as Papus, René Guénon, Schwaller de Lubicz, Pierre Dujols, Eugene Canseliet, and Jean-Julien Champagne. Working from rare documents, letters, and photos, Dubois suggests that one of these men could have been hiding his activity behind the pseudonym of Fulcanelli or that Fulcanelli may even have been a composite fabricated by several of these individuals working together. Beyond its attempt to reveal the actual identity of Fulcanelli, Fulcanelli and the Alchemical Revival also presents an explanation of the alchemical doctrine and reveals the unsuspected relationships among the important twentieth-century truth seekers it highlights.

Explains how different kinds of chemical reactions ranging from precipitation and combustion to polymerization and catalysis are formed, including examples, color illustrations, and real-life applications for each reaction.