The last alchemist in Paris : & other curious tales from chemistry /
OÌhrstroÌm, Lars.
The last alchemist in Paris : & other curious tales from chemistry / Lars OÌhrstroÌm. - Oxford, UK ; New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2013. - xiv, 257 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 228-241) and index.
"This is a book about discovery and disaster, exploitation and invention, warfare and science--and the relationship between human beings and the chemical elements that make up our planet. Lars OÌhrstroÌm introduces us to a variety of elements from S to Pb through tales of ordinary and extraordinary people from around the globe. We meet African dictators controlling vital supplies of uranium; eighteenth-century explorers searching out sources of precious metals; industrial spies stealing the secrets of steel-making. We find out why the Hindenburg airship was tragically filled with hydrogen, not helium; why nail-varnish remover played a key part in World War I; and the real story behind the legend of tin buttons and the downfall of Napoleon. In each chapter, we find out about the distinctive properties of each element and the concepts and principles that have enabled scientists to put it to practical use."--Publisher's website.
019966109X 9780199661091
2013940788
016471931 Uk
Chemistry--History.
Discoveries in science--History.
Chemical elements.
Chemistry--Popular works.
Popular Science and Mathematics.
QD11 / .O36 2013
540.9
The last alchemist in Paris : & other curious tales from chemistry / Lars OÌhrstroÌm. - Oxford, UK ; New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2013. - xiv, 257 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 228-241) and index.
"This is a book about discovery and disaster, exploitation and invention, warfare and science--and the relationship between human beings and the chemical elements that make up our planet. Lars OÌhrstroÌm introduces us to a variety of elements from S to Pb through tales of ordinary and extraordinary people from around the globe. We meet African dictators controlling vital supplies of uranium; eighteenth-century explorers searching out sources of precious metals; industrial spies stealing the secrets of steel-making. We find out why the Hindenburg airship was tragically filled with hydrogen, not helium; why nail-varnish remover played a key part in World War I; and the real story behind the legend of tin buttons and the downfall of Napoleon. In each chapter, we find out about the distinctive properties of each element and the concepts and principles that have enabled scientists to put it to practical use."--Publisher's website.
019966109X 9780199661091
2013940788
016471931 Uk
Chemistry--History.
Discoveries in science--History.
Chemical elements.
Chemistry--Popular works.
Popular Science and Mathematics.
QD11 / .O36 2013
540.9