Portland Public Library

A tale of seven elements, Eric Scerri

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-244) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

A tale of seven elements

bibliography

802324295

Eric Scerri

In 1913, English physicist Henry Moseley established an elegant method for ""counting"" the elements based on atomic number, ranging them from hydrogen (#1) to uranium (#92). It soon became clear, however, that seven elements were mysteriously missing from the line up--seven elements unknown to science. In his well researched and engagingly narrative, Eric Scerri presents the intriguing stories of these seven elements--protactinium, hafnium, rhenium, technetium, francium, astatine and promethium. The book follows the historical order of discovery, roughly spanning the two world wars, beginning

Priority disputes and what constitutes the discovery of an element? -- Dalton, to the discovery of the periodic system -- The influence of modern physics -- Element 91, protactinium -- Element 72, hafnium -- Element 75, rhenium -- Element 43, technetium -- Element 87, francium -- Element 85, astatine -- Element 61, promethium -- Transuranium elements 93 and beyond

Tale of 7 elements