Calgary Public Library

Reactions, an illustrated exploration of elements, molecules, and change in the universe, Theodore Gray ; photographs by Nick Mann

eng

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Reactions

dictionaries

1007823745

Theodore Gray ; photographs by Nick Mann

an illustrated exploration of elements, molecules, and change in the universe

The long-awaited third installment in Theodore Gray's iconic "Elements" trilogy. The first two titles, Elements and Molecules, have sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. With Reactions bestselling author Theodore Gray continues the journey through our molecular and chemical world that began with the tour de force The Elements and continued with Molecules. In The Elements, Gray gave us a never-before-seen, mesmerizing photographic view of the 118 elements in the periodic table. In Molecules, with the same phenomenal photographic acumen, plus beautifully rendered computer generated graphics, he showed us how the elements combine to form the content that makes up our universe, from table salt to oxygen to the panoply of colors and smells that surround us. At last, we've reached Reactions, in which Gray once again puts his photography and storytelling to work demonstrating how molecules interact in ways that are essential to our very existence. The book begins with a brief recap of elements and molecules and then goes on to explain important concepts the characterize a chemical reaction, including Energy, Entropy, and Time. It is then organized by type of reaction including chapters such as "Fantastic Reactions and Where to Find Them," "On the Origin of Light and Color," "The Boring Chapter," in which we learn about reactions such as paint drying, grass growing, and water boiling, and "The Need for Speed," including topics such as weather, ignition, and fire

Chemistry is magic -- Magnets -- Glowsticks -- The meaning of magic -- Ancient magic was mostly chemistry -- The reactions I remember from when I was but a wee lad -- Atoms, elements, molecules, reactions -- Elements, molecules, reactions -- Energy -- The life of a bullet -- The arrow of time -- Entropy -- Fantastic reactions and where to find them -- In the classroom -- In the kitchen -- In the lab -- In a factory -- On the street -- In you -- On the origin of light and color -- Electromagnetic waves -- Sound waves and light waves -- Absorbing light -- Making light -- The ancient Chinese art of chemical arranging -- The wombat problem in chemistry -- The boring chapter -- Watching paint dry -- Watching grass grow -- Watching water boil -- The need for speed -- Weathering -- Fire -- Fast fire -- Detonation -- The fastest reaction of all