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The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance
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About The Periodic Table: Its Story And Its Significance
Product Description The periodic table of elements is among the most recognizable image in science. It lies at the core of chemistry and embodies the most fundamental principles of science. In this new edition, Eric Scerri offers readers a complete and updated history and philosophy of the periodic table. Written in a lively style to appeal to experts and interested lay-persons alike, The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance begins with an overview of the importance of the periodic table and the manner in which the term "element" has been interpreted by chemists and philosophers across time. The book traces the evolution and development of the periodic table from its early beginnings with the work of the precursors like De Chancourtois, Newlands and Meyer to Mendeleev's 1869 first published table and beyond. Several chapters are devoted to developments in 20th century physics, especially quantum mechanics and and the extent to which they explain the periodic table in a more fundamental way. Other chapters examine the formation of the elements, nuclear structure, the discovery of the last seven infra-uranium elements, and the synthesis of trans-uranium elements. Finally, the book considers the many different ways of representing the periodic system and the quest for an optimal arrangement. Review "This second edition comprises 14 chapters, four of them new or modified versions of chapters in the first edition. The periodic table has evolved over the last 150 years, even over the last decade, so both editions of this book are valuable." -- R. E. Buntrock, Choice "The concentrated wave of scholarship accompanying 150-year celebrations of the discovery of the periodic system, of course, is of value for those who want to expand their knowledge on a staple icon such as the periodic table ..." -- Karoliina Pulkkinen, Metascience "As a whole, this book is not highly technical, and it has the attractiveness of providing material that doesn't appear in typical school textbooks. Generally, those textbooks present the last triumphant version, not the unsuccessful episodes' history and context. Only a few experts know the "dark side" of the story, so this book fills in many useful parts of that bigger picture. This book will appeal to scholars and science readers alike, especially those interested in history of science, chemistry, physics, and philosophy." -- Maria Elvira Callapez, ChemTexts "Scerri's book is one that I trust will find its way on to the shelves of all libraries, be they real or virtual, and no doubt it will be consulted by generations to come, as it well it deserves to be." -- John Emsley, Foundations of Chemistry "The periodic table continues to generate new thoughts as the list of elements grows, its foundations are refined, and new portrayals are developed. Eric Scerri captures all these innovations in this timely updating of his very readable account of the origin, structure, and interpretation of the table." -- Peter Atkins, University of Oxford "The 2nd edition of Eric's Scerri's journey through the periodic table is up-to-date, readable, and intellectually enticing. This icon of chemistry has never had a better expositor!" -- Roald Hoffmann, Cornell University "This second edition is a revised and expanded take on the philosophical and historical aspects of the periodic table that made his first edition such a worthy successor to van Spronsen's classic history." -- Carmen Giunta, , Le Moyne College "Written to a high standard of scholarship, The Periodic Table is the best book on this subject currently available. It gives both an historical and philosophical perspective to the development of this key to the elements, as well as including all the recent additions to the table." -- John Emsley, author of Nature's Building Blocks "Since Eric Scerri's The Periodic Table was the definitive book on the topic when it first appeared, it is wonderful to see that status claimed anew by this second edi
