Rigil Kent
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Three men make a tiger.
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« on: January 31, 2013, 09:34:11 AM » |
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It can't be all to easy taking an ostensibly humdrum yet potentially intimidating theme - say, the Periodic Table of the Elements - and turning it into an unexpectedly good read. But the young Sam Kean pulls it off beautifully. The Disappearing Spoon tells the story behind virtually every element, and the quirky scientists behind it. It colours in the gaps between the somewhat desiccated facts we learned at school with very bright crayons. It has a bit of everything: humour, suspense, envy, scandal and isotopes. If you enjoy chemistry - or the world around you in general - this book is sure to have a special place on your shelf. I rate it fluorine out of neon. http://www.amazon.com/Disappearing-Spoon-Madness-Periodic-Elements/dp/0316051632Rigil |
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BoogieMonster
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« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2013, 10:56:14 AM » |
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There's a pretty cool youtube channel called "Periodic Table of Videos" that explores the elements in turn. For instance: In an episode on Gold they managed to get into a London bank vault containing bullion. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1 |
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Rigil Kent
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Three men make a tiger.
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« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2013, 10:09:44 AM » |
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There's a pretty cool youtube channel called "Periodic Table of Videos" that explores the elements in turn.
Nice - just watched the hydrogen installment! When my kid comes back from school, I'm getting out the steel wool, pool acid and a balloon...  |
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Mefiante
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In solidarity with rwenzori: Κοπρος φανεται
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« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2013, 12:31:07 PM » |
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… I'm getting out the steel wool, pool acid… Aluminium foil also works — perhaps better because aluminium is more reactive with hydrochloric than iron. 'Luthon64 |
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brianvds
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« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2013, 13:45:38 PM » |
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Will pool acid be concentrated enough though? How about sulphuric acid, if you use battery acid that can be bought at a hardware store? I have been thinking of showing the kids at the school where I work this, but I don't want to buy expensive chemicals unnecessarily.
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st0nes
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« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2013, 14:20:04 PM » |
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I have been thinking of showing the kids at the school where I work this
Famous last thoughts? |
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brianvds
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« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2013, 15:47:46 PM » |
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I have been thinking of showing the kids at the school where I work this
Famous last thoughts? "It's perfectly safe, kids. Watch, I'm leaning right in and nothi..." |
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BoogieMonster
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« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2013, 15:54:59 PM » |
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"What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."
Allegedly these were among General John Sedgwick's final words. He was serving as a Union commander in the American Civil War, and was hit by sniper fire a few minutes after saying them, at the battle of Spotsylvania to his men who were ducking for cover, on May 9, 1864.
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st0nes
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« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2013, 16:01:12 PM » |
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My very favourite last words:-- Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies. |
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brianvds
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« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2013, 19:42:00 PM » |
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"What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."
Allegedly these were among General John Sedgwick's final words. He was serving as a Union commander in the American Civil War, and was hit by sniper fire a few minutes after saying them, at the battle of Spotsylvania to his men who were ducking for cover, on May 9, 1864.
One sometimes hears, inaccurately but far more entertainingly, that his last words were actually "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..." Anyway, back to the topic of the thread...  |
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Rigil Kent
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Three men make a tiger.
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« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2013, 07:28:59 AM » |
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The title of the book refers to a geeky chemical party trick whereby a teaspoon is fashioned from metallic element 31, gallium. Gallium has a melting point of just below 30 deg C, and the humour ostensibly derives from the surprised look on the tea drinker's face when he tries to stir in his sugar.  Oh well. Rigil |
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brianvds
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« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2013, 08:26:51 AM » |
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The title of the book refers to a geeky chemical party trick whereby a teaspoon is fashioned from metallic element 31, gallium. Gallium has a melting point of just below 30 deg C, and the humour ostensibly derives from the surprised look on the tea drinker's face when he tries to stir in his sugar. Oh well. Rigil That's actually a pretty cool trick. Where can I get hold of some gallium? France, presumably? |
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