The Ingredients: a Guided Tour of the Elements.PHILIP BALL Philip Ball (born 1962) is an English science writer. He holds a degree in chemistry from Oxford and a doctorate in physics from Bristol University. He was an editor for the journal Nature for over 10 years. In a companion to his book Stories of the Invisible, which chronicled the history of molecules, Ball now turns his attention to the elements and the story of our relationship with matter. Rather than offer up a tour of the periodic table, Ball instead looks at how the elements were identified and defined and how they shaped the technologies of civilizations. Profiles of interesting characters pop up along the way. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier Noun 1. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier - French chemist known as the father of modern chemistry; discovered oxygen and disproved the theory of phlogiston (1743-1794) Antoine Lavoisier, Lavoisier , for one, was pivotal. He named oxygen, proved that water is not an element, demolished the ancient four-elements theory, and in the process lost his head in the guillotine guillotine Instrument for inflicting capital punishment by decapitation. A minimal wooden structure, it supported a heavy blade that, when released, slid down in vertical guides to sever the victim's head. during the French Revolution. Ball also provides insight and anecdotes about the roles of individual elements such as argon argon (är`gŏn) [Gr.,=inert], gaseous chemical element; symbol Ar; at. no. 18; at. wt. 39.948; m.p. −189.2°C;; b.p. −185.7°C;; density 1.784 grams per liter at STP; valence 0. , which was seemingly a useless addition to the periodic table. It turned out to be a vital component of lightbulbs. OUR 2002, 216 p., b&w photos/illus., hardcover, $22.00. |
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