Nature's Building Blocks: an A-Z Guide to the Elements.JOHN EMSLEY From actinium actinium (ăktĭn`ēəm) [Gr.,=like a ray], radioactive chemical element; symbol Ac; at. no. 89; at. wt. 227.0278; m.p. about 1,050°C;; b.p. 3,200°C;±300°C;; sp. gr. 10.07; valence +3. to zirconium zirconium (zərkō`nēəm), metallic chemical element; symbol Zr; at. no. 40; at. wt. 91.22; m.p. about 1,852°C;; b.p. 4,377°C;; sp. gr. 6.5 at 20°C;; valence +2, +3, or +4. , this marvelous encyclopedia details all 115 elements of the periodic table to reveal the nature of each and its relationship to us. With the general reader in mind, Emsley infuses his text with lots of quirky quirk n. 1. A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy: "Every man had his own quirks and twists" Harriet Beecher Stowe. 2. tidbits TidBITS is an award-winning electronic newsletter and web site dealing primarily with Apple Computer and Macintosh-related topics. Internet publication TidBITS has been published weekly since April 16, 1990, which makes it one of the longest running Internet publications. of information. For instance, readers learn that titanium makes lipstick bind to lips and that some of the 30 elements naturally in our bodies are harmful. A profile of each element reveals the origins of its discovery, what it is commonly used for, and, its relevance to life. Emsley tries to cover all aspects of an element by discussing its economic and environmental impact and by revealing "elements of surprise" in a section of each profile. OUR 2001, 538 p., hardcover, $29.95. |
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