000			04442cam a2200337 i 4500
001			23325157
005			20241031112522.0
008			230921s2024 njua b 001 0 eng
010			_a 2023030335
020			_a9780691125886 _q(hardback)
020			_z9780691256689 _q(ebook)
040			_aDLC _beng _erda _cDLC _dDLC _dMiTN
042			_apcc
050	0	0	_aQB450 _b.S626 2024
082	0	0	_a523/.02 _223/eng/20231012
084			_aSCI004000 _aSCI034000 _2bisacsh
100	1		_aSnow, Theodore P. _q(Theodore Peck),
245	1	4	_aThe sixth element : _bhow carbon shapes our world / _cTheodore P. Snow and Don Brownlee.
264		1	_aPrinceton : _bPrinceton University Press, _c[2024]
300			_av, 254 pages : _billustrations ; _c23 cm
336			_atext _btxt _2rdacontent
337			_aunmediated _bn _2rdamedia
338			_avolume _bnc _2rdacarrier
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
520			_a"A cosmic perspective on carbon, its importance in the universe and our livesWhen we think of carbon, we might first think of a simple element near the top of the periodic table: symbol C, atomic number 6. Alternatively, we might think of something more tangible-a sooty piece of coal or a sparkling diamond, both made of carbon. Or, as Earth's global temperature continues to rise alarmingly, we might think of the role carbon plays in climate change. Yet carbon's story begins long ago, far from earthly concerns. In The Sixth Element, astronomers Snow and Brownlee tell the story of carbon from a cosmic perspective-how it was born in the fiery furnaces of stars, what special chemical and physical properties it has, and how it forms the chemical backbone of the planets and all life as we know it. Foundational to every part of our lives, from our bodies to the food, tools, and atmosphere that sustain our existence, carbon is arguably humankind's most important element. Snow and Brownlee offer readers the ideal introduction to the starry element that made our world possible and shapes our lives. They first discuss carbon's origin, discovery, and its unique ability to bond with other elements and thus form countless molecules. Next, they reveal carbon's essential role in the chemical evolution of the universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, and life, and then, more generally, its technological uses and its influence on Earth's climate. Bringing readers on a historical, scientific, and cross-disciplinary journey, The Sixth Element illuminates the cosmic wonder that is carbon"-- _cProvided by publisher.
520			_a"Carbon is arguably humankind's most important chemical element - indeed, possibly the most important element in the universe. Created in the fiery furnaces of stars, carbon is the chemical backbone of the planets and life as we know it. It is essential to every part of our lives: the bones and tissue which give us all shape, the food we eat, the tools we use, the climate which supports life on this planet. Despite these facts, carbon's importance is often overlooked. In this short, popular-level book, astronomers Theodore Snow and Donald Brownlee consider carbon from a cosmic perspective, explaining the inherent chemical and physical nature of the element as well as the ways in which it is foundational to nearly everything in the universe, our environment, and our lives. Snow and Brownlee first discuss the carbon's discovery and origin, as well as the aspects of carbon's chemical makeup (such as its incredible ability to link to itself and bond with many other elements) that make it so special and important to the history of the universe and our solar system. After addressing carbon's role in the chemical evolution of the universe, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, and life, the authors go on to describe its technological uses and its influence on Earth's climate and planetary habitability more generally. Throughout, the authors discuss not only the element itself, but also the scientists across numerous disciplines whose research helped illuminate carbon's wide-ranging importance"-- _cProvided by publisher.
650		0	_aCarbon _vPopular works.
650		0	_aCosmochemistry _vPopular works.
700	1		_aBrownlee, Donald,
776	0	8	_iOnline version: _aSnow, Theodore P. _tSixth element _dPrinceton : Princeton University Press, [2024] _z9780691256689 _w(DLC) 2023030336
999			_c524539 _d524539