The Periodic Table: A Visual Guide to the Elements

by Paul Parsons

Overview

As one of the most recognizable images in science, the periodic table is ingrained in our culture. First drawn up in 1869 by Dmitri Mendeleev, its 118 elements make up not only everything on our planet but also everything in the entire universe.

The Periodic Table looks at the fascinating story and surprising uses of each of those elements, whether solid, liquid or gas. From the little-known uses of gold in medicine to the development of the hydrogen bomb, each entry is accompanied by technical data (category, atomic number, weight, boiling point) presented in easy-to-read headers, and a colour coding system that helps the reader to navigate through the different groups of elements.

A remarkable display of thought-provoking science and beautiful photography, this guide will allow the reader to discover the world afresh.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623651114
Publisher:	Quercus
Publication date:	03/11/2014
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	1,274,531
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. Paul Parsons is a regular contributor to Nature, New Scientist and the Daily Telegraph. He frequently appears on BBC radio and his television credits include Richard&Judy and BBC Breakfast. He was formerly editor of award-winning BBC science and technology magazine Focus. His latest book, The Science of Doctor Who (Icon Books), was longlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books.

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2014
This handy scientific reference canvasses the "building blocks" of all matter in a convenient, richly illustrated layout. It is packed with all the pertinent information necessary to gain a solid understanding of the chemical world. The work begins with a vibrantly colored graphic of the periodic table followed by a brief introduction surveying Dmitri Mendeleev's formulation that revolutionized "our understanding of the chemical world." One by one, the elements are each presented within a format that alternates from a page of lucid description to a captioned visual representation for each that pops in lively colors from a white background. Prefatory matter for each element description includes a visual of its location on the table followed by its category, atomic number, atomic weight, phase, and color, as well as its melting and boiling points. Also included are graphics for each element's electron arrangement and crystal structure. The entry for bromine (Br) is typical of the overall coherent, highly informative arrangement. Here we learn of bromine's discovery by Antoine Jérôme Balard, rumors of its historical usage as an anaphrodisiac (libido suppressant) by the British Army during World War I, and as a pesticide until 1992 when it was added to the list of ozone-depleting substances. The work is concluded by a discussion of the transfermium elements, complete with chart, and a glossary of related terms such as Actinides, Avogadro Number, Electron Shell, and Spectroscopy. VERDICT This is an outstanding resource for high school and college chemistry students and anyone with a scientific curiosity.—Brian Odom, Birmingham, AL

Library Journal

"Each element gets a minimum two-page spread, consisting of one page of narrative detailing important facts about the element facing a large, full-color photograph of the element itself. The useful, simple nature of the material and the price point make this a must-have for all science shelves."—Rebecca Vnuk, Booklist

"This handy scientific reference canvasses the "building blocks" of all matter in a convenient, richly illustrated layout. It is packed with all the pertinent information necessary to gain a solid understanding of the chemical world . . One by one, the elements are each presented within a format that alternates from a page of lucid description to a captioned visual representation for each that pops in lively colors from a white background . . . This is an outstanding resource for high school and college chemistry students and anyone with a scientific curiosity."—Brian Odom, Library Journal

From the Publisher