A Tale of Seven Elements

A Tale of Seven Elements PDF Author: Eric Scerri
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019991074X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1913, English physicist Henry Moseley established an elegant method for "counting" the elements based on atomic number, ranging them from hydrogen (#1) to uranium (#92). It soon became clear, however, that seven elements were mysteriously missing from the lineup--seven elements unknown to science. In his well researched and engaging narrative, Eric Scerri presents the intriguing stories of these seven elements--protactinium, hafnium, rhenium, technetium, francium, astatine and promethium. The book follows the historical order of discovery, roughly spanning the two world wars, beginning with the isolation of protactinium in 1917 and ending with that of promethium in 1945. For each element, Scerri traces the research that preceded the discovery, the pivotal experiments, the personalities of the chemists involved, the chemical nature of the new element, and its applications in science and technology. We learn for instance that alloys of hafnium--whose name derives from the Latin name for Copenhagen (hafnia)--have some of the highest boiling points on record and are used for the nozzles in rocket thrusters such as the Apollo Lunar Modules. Scerri also tells the personal tales of researchers overcoming great obstacles. We see how Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn--the pair who later proposed the theory of atomic fission--were struggling to isolate element 91 when World War I intervened, Hahn was drafted into the German army's poison gas unit, and Meitner was forced to press on alone against daunting odds. The book concludes by examining how and where the twenty-five new elements have taken their places in the periodic table in the last half century. A Tale of Seven Elements paints a fascinating picture of chemical research--the wrong turns, missed opportunities, bitterly disputed claims, serendipitous findings, accusations of dishonesty--all leading finally to the thrill of discovery.

Secrets of the Mind

Secrets of the Mind PDF Author: A.G. Cairns-Smith
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461215102
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 233

Get Book Here

Book Description
Written in a provocative, witty, and highly accessible style, this is not only a splendid general introduction to the central questions of consciousness and brain science, but also an answer to some of them. The author -- noted Glaswegian chemist A.G. Cairns-Smith -- believes our feelings and sensations are not simply alternative descriptions of neural events but have themselves evolved and have physical effects in the brain as well as physical causes. Secrets of the Mind portrays a vision of the world as it may come to be seen by a future science. Sand, sea water, air, and the atoms from which such materials are made are now well understood by science, but the same can not be said of our personal feelings, our sensations and emotions. Science tells us that these too must be forms of quantum energy if they evolved, yet is only now beginning to explain how.

Pluto's Secret

Pluto's Secret PDF Author: Margaret Weitekamp
Publisher: Abrams
ISBN: 1613124961
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 44

Get Book Here

Book Description
People, children especially, have been baffled, bewildered, and even outraged by the fact that Pluto is no longer called a planet. Through whimsical artwork and an entertaining dialogue format, Pluto’s Secret explains the true story of this distant world. Providing a history of the small, icy world from its discovery and naming to its recent reclassification, this book presents a fascinating look at how scientists organize and classify our solar system as they gain new insights into how it works and what types of things exist within it. The book includes a glossary and bibliography. Praise for Pluto's Secret "Pairing a lighthearted narrative in a hand-lettered†“style typeface with informally drawn cartoon illustrations, this lively tale of astronomical revelations begins with the search for Planet X.†? —Kirkus Reviews "This picture book offers a fresh, positive perspective on Pluto, showing that its change of status is not a demotion but a correction." —Booklist "Light-hearted imagining of a gregarious Pluto.†? —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Fun reading... The book provides a factual history of our faraway 'dwarf,' and on its companion icy worlds, and on the discovery of Kuiper-like bands around other stars." —School Library Journal Award New York Public Library’s annual Children’s Books list: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2013

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time PDF Author: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Walker
ISBN: 9781406331929
Category : Plot-your-own stories
Languages : en
Pages : 18

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this choose-your-own adventure novelty book, each double spread has six different cutouts to choose from, so that children can create their own story over and over again.

The Abbey

The Abbey PDF Author: James Martin
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062402145
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 129

Get Book Here

Book Description
“With this beautiful, touching and utterly believable novel, seekers will be gently invited to encounter the divine and believers be encouraged to deepen their relationships with God. I loved this book and loved the characters!” -Richard Rohr, author of Everything Belongs In the tradition of the spiritual classics The Shack and The Screwtape Letters comes The Abbey - a debut novel from New York Times bestselling author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, James Martin, SJ, who provides a window into the spiritual journeys of three people seeking direction, showing us firsthand how God uses our worries, questions, and even anger to help us become whole. As he did in his previous bestsellers, Martin once again crafts a book that incarnates deep spiritual wisdom while being accessible and full of humor and grace, with characters such as: · A divorced single mom, Anne can sometimes barely cope with life and struggles to make sense of the death of her young son. · A former architect who had a promising career, Mark works as a handyman and wonders how his life got off track. · The abbot of the Abbey of Saints Philip and James, Father Paul sometimes questions how to best live a life that secludes him so thoroughly from the world. · At a Pennsylvania abbey, this unlikely trio will discover the answers they seek—a miracle of hope and understanding that bears witness to the surprising power of God to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.

The Discovery of Dragons

The Discovery of Dragons PDF Author: Graeme Base
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 9780670070480
Category : Dragons
Languages : en
Pages : 42

Get Book Here

Book Description
A brand-new edition of the classic book of Serpentology brought to you by the brilliant Graeme Base Was Bjorn of Bromme one of the greatest explorers of the Viking Age or just a simple-minded, lice-infested Barbarian with a passion for beach volleyball? Could Soong Mei Ying really have discovered every Asiatic Dragon known to Serpentology, or was she just a thirteenth-century teenage who wanted to travel and meet people? Did Dr E. F. Liebermann perish after discovering the Common Green Draak, also known as the 'Awful Gurgler', or was he suffering from a severe bout of jungle madness? The answers to these questions and more will not be found within the pages of this book - but a lot of great big Dragons will . . . Visit graemebase.com

The Eagles who Thought They Were Chickens

The Eagles who Thought They Were Chickens PDF Author: Mychal Wynn
Publisher: Rising Sun Publishing
ISBN: 9781880463123
Category : Allegories
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Baby eagles are hatched in a chicken yard and are scorned and ridiculed because they are different. Another great eagle is captured and after his clipped wings grow in full, he encourages and inspires the other young eagles to realize their potential and to soar into the clouds.

A Tale of Seven Elements

A Tale of Seven Elements PDF Author: Eric Scerri
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019991074X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1913, English physicist Henry Moseley established an elegant method for "counting" the elements based on atomic number, ranging them from hydrogen (#1) to uranium (#92). It soon became clear, however, that seven elements were mysteriously missing from the lineup--seven elements unknown to science. In his well researched and engaging narrative, Eric Scerri presents the intriguing stories of these seven elements--protactinium, hafnium, rhenium, technetium, francium, astatine and promethium. The book follows the historical order of discovery, roughly spanning the two world wars, beginning with the isolation of protactinium in 1917 and ending with that of promethium in 1945. For each element, Scerri traces the research that preceded the discovery, the pivotal experiments, the personalities of the chemists involved, the chemical nature of the new element, and its applications in science and technology. We learn for instance that alloys of hafnium--whose name derives from the Latin name for Copenhagen (hafnia)--have some of the highest boiling points on record and are used for the nozzles in rocket thrusters such as the Apollo Lunar Modules. Scerri also tells the personal tales of researchers overcoming great obstacles. We see how Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn--the pair who later proposed the theory of atomic fission--were struggling to isolate element 91 when World War I intervened, Hahn was drafted into the German army's poison gas unit, and Meitner was forced to press on alone against daunting odds. The book concludes by examining how and where the twenty-five new elements have taken their places in the periodic table in the last half century. A Tale of Seven Elements paints a fascinating picture of chemical research--the wrong turns, missed opportunities, bitterly disputed claims, serendipitous findings, accusations of dishonesty--all leading finally to the thrill of discovery.

Viking Tales

Viking Tales PDF Author: Jennie Hall
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 118

Get Book Here

Book Description
"Viking Tales" by Jennie Hall. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies PDF Author:
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134863632
Category : Culture
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Discovery of King Arthur

The Discovery of King Arthur PDF Author: Geoffrey Ashe
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 9780805001150
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 262

Get Book Here

Book Description
The author offers convincing proof that King Arthur existed by tracing the legend of King Arthur to its roots in the 12th century chronicles of Geoffrey of Monmouth.