The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

by Kean, Sam
ISBN: 9780316051637
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Used - Trade Paperback - 9780316051637

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Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, finance, mythology, the arts, medicine, and more, as told by the Periodic Table.

Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?*

The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. THE DISAPPEARING SPOON masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery--from the Big Bang through the end of time.

*Though solid at room temperature, gallium is a moldable metal that melts at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A classic science prank is to mold gallium spoons, serve them with tea, and watch guests recoil as their utensils disappear.

  • Format: TradePaperback
  • Author: Kean, Sam
  • ISBN: 9780316051637
  • Condition: Used
  • Dimensions: 8.30 x 1.10
  • Number Of Pages: 416
  • Publication Year: 2011

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  • A delightful romp through the periodic table

    Beth A. - 4 years 10 months ago

    This book is a fascinating look into the periodic table. It looks not only at the elements that make up the table and the crazy stories about their discoveries, but also examines the history of the table itself. There's a rich history behind the periodic table and the elements that it contains. There are well-known facts like Marie Curie discovering Radium, but then there are less known elements with stories that are just as interesting. It's a must-read for chemistry fans and casual readers alike.

    HPB Staff Review