Elements, The: Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe [Hardcover]

 

 

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"The periodic table is the universal catalogue of everything you can drop on your foot...The Earth, this book, your foot--everything tangible--is made up of elements. [An element is a substance whose nuclei contain a specific number of protons]...Elements have two faces: their pure state, and the range of chemical compounds they form when they combine with other elements...In this book I try to show both faces of every element...

I started collecting elements in 2002...Thanks in part to eBay...by 2009, I had assembled nearly 2300 objects representing every element...Element collecting isn't a big hobby...Compared to [other collecting hobbies], we element nuts are few and far between."

The above is found in the introduction and conclusion of this unique book by Theodore Gray. Gray is a science author, science magazine columnist, and the proprietor of periodic table dot com.

This book is based on seven years of research and photography.

How many people or even scientists can boast that they have actually seen all of the chemical elements in their pure form, not combined with other elements? This is what makes this book unique.

Most of the pages of this book are composed of a double-page spread of each of the elements.

On the left page of each double-page spread is a large photograph of the pure element (where physically possible) along with the element's chemical symbol and atomic number. (An element's atomic number is the number of protons found in the nucleus of every atom of that element.) You can see what I mean by looking at the cover of this book (displayed above by Amazon). Here there are seventeen pure elements displayed just as they appear in the book. (Actually the pictures in the book are much larger).

For example if you look at the top row of elements displayed on this book's cover, you'll come across an element every organism on Earth is familiar with, namely oxygen. It's chemical symbol, as shown, is O. It's atomic number is 8. (This information is commonly written as "oxygen (8))." What really stands out is the picture of oxygen which is pale blue.

You might be saying to yourself, "What's this guy talking about! The colour of the oxygen I breathe in has no colour." That's true for oxygen gas. But liquid oxygen ("LOX") is actually a beautiful pale blue.

On the right page of each double-page spread is "examples of the ways that element lives in the world--compounds and applications that are especially characteristic of it." As well, there is brief text describing interesting aspects of the element.

On the right page is also a column showing selected physical properties (such as atomic weight, density, and atomic emission spectrum) of the element. The explanation and definitions of these physical properties are explained at the beginning of the book. (In fact, there is much explanatory material at the book's beginning that should be carefully read so as to enjoy the rest of the book.)

Note that in this book the elements are presented in sequential atomic number order beginning with Hydrogen (1), Helium (2), Lithium (3), Beryllium (4), and so on. The double-spreads for each separate element end at the element with atomic number 100, named Fermium . A few elements that have many applications (such as Gold, Iron, and Copper) have a second double-page spread.

Elements Mendelevium (101) to Meitnerium (109) have one double-page spread devoted to them as do elements Darmstadtium (110) to Ununoctium (118). (Note that "Ununoctium" is a temporary placeholder name only. Also, this element is, at the time of writing of this book, the last one discovered.)

I almost missed this since there is no table of contents with this book. At the very back is a "picture" periodic table (that has no atomic weights). You can tear this out. In my case, I just didn't have the heart to tear it out of this beautiful book.

Finally, I wish the author had included for every element the element's date of discovery and country of discovery. (To be fair, he does mention these for a few elements.) I would also have liked to know the number of stable isotopes for each element. (An isotope of an element has the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons.)

In conclusion, this book is a rare combination of hard science and photographic artistry. Question: Who is this book for?? Answer: It is for every sentient creature in the universe. Personally, this book deepened my appreciation of the chemical substances that make up me and the world!!

(first published 2009; quotation and introduction; the periodic table as a whole; the major groups of the periodic table; how the periodic table got its shape; explanations and definitions of the physical properties presented for each element; elements with atomic numbers 1 to 100; elements with atomic numbers 101 to 109; elements with atomic numbers 110 to 118; conclusion: the joy of element collecting; main narrative 235 pages; bibliography; acknowledgements; index; periodic table tear-out poster)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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This is a gorgeous picture book, but also filled with real and detailed information, written by someone who loves the subject. Worth getting, for yourself, or as a gift.

The coincidence? I'd been taking the occasional interesting artifact in to work to show my techie colleagues. One day, after looking around for something unusual, I grabbed a radioactive Polonium based anti-static brush made in 1957! (Amazingly, it's still made, and available on Amazon!) They were amazed, and a bit scared :-), even though it was radioactively dead after 55 years. When I got home, this book was in my mailbox. I quickly unpacked it, not really having time to look at it yet, but let it fall open to a page, just to have a quick look. Guess what page. Polonium! But, that isn't the best part. Guess what one of the pictures on the Polonium page is. Uh huh... the brush!!!

Best ' coincidence ' ever.

Intended for young people but older ones like me found in this very interesting reading material:), and would like to recommend the book to teachers and parents alike , thanks to the author and photographer's hard work ,
readers like me were brought up-to-date about things learned years ago (on the subject of the Periodic Table)......

Maybe the next step is to order the Cards for elements:).........

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent visual presentation of the elements
This book is an excellent presentation of the elements by an avid element collector. The book is full of high-quality pictures, showing the elements in both their pure form and... Read more

Published 9 months ago by Eric Boyer

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book So Nice I Bought It Twice
As a grade 6 teacher who loves science, I took my copy of Elements to share with the class. Oh woe! The book was manhandled, with some of the pages being torn. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Vandertramps

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable ELEMENTS
This 239 paged encyclopedia-standard guide about the 118 elements in the priodic table is one of its kind: comprehensive, informative and innovative. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Reflection Haiku

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done, Theodore
If you're looking for a great book to give to any quirky, science-minded individuals you might happen to know, this is it. Read more

Published 21 months ago by George Gillson

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
This book is amazing. The colour photography is like art. Explanations of the elements in their natural and modified states are easy to understand and interesting. Read more

Published on Dec 27 2009 by D. Moak

5.0 out of 5 stars Most beautiful science book.
In this coffee table sized book the elements of the universe have never looked so good or been described in a more interesting fashion. Read more

Published on Dec 19 2009 by Wayne

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonderful Book
This book is both a work of art and an informative source of information. The attention to detail as well as the passionate comments by the author are inspiring to the reader. Read more

Published on Dec 10 2009 by Omer L. Hageniers

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