Antimony, gold, and jupiter's wolf : how the elements were named / Peter Wothers.
| Author/creator | Wothers, Peter author. |
| Format | Electronic |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Publication | Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press, 2019. |
| Copyright Date | ©2019 |
| Description | 1 online resource (xiv, 273 pages) : illustrations |
| Supplemental Content | Ebook Central |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Heavenly bodies -- Goblins and demons -- Fire and brimstone -- 'H Two O' to 'O Two H' -- Of ashes and alkalis -- Loadstones and earths -- The salt makers -- From under the nose -- Unstable endings |
| Abstract | The iconic Periodic Table of the Elements is probably in its most satisfactory, elegant form it will ever have. This is because all the "gaps" corresponding to missing elements in the seventh row, or period, have been filled and the elements named. But where do these names come from? For some (usually the most recent), the origins are quite obvious, such as germanium or californium, but for others - even the well-known elements, such as oxygen or nitrogen - the roots are less clear. Here, the author explores the often surprising stories behind how the chemical elements received their names. Delving back in time to explore the history and gradual development of chemistry, the author sifts through medieval manuscripts for clues to the stories surrounding the discovery of the elements, showing how they were first encountered or created, and how they were used in everyday lives. The oldest-known elements were often associated with astronomical bodies, and the connections with the heavens influenced the naming of a number of elements. Following this, a number of elements, including hydrogen and oxygen, were named during the great reform of chemistry, set amidst the French revolution. Whilst some of the origins of the names were controversial (and, indeed incorrect - some saying, for instance, that oxygen might be literally taken to mean 'the son of a vinegar merchant'), they have nonetheless influenced the language used throughout the world. Throughout, the author dusts off the original sources, and brings to light the astonishing, the unusual, and the downright weird origins behind the names of the elements we take for granted today |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Source of description | Print version record |
| Issued in other form | Print version: Wothers, Peter. Antimony, gold, and Jupiter's wolf. First edition. Oxford ; New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2019 9780199652723 |
| Genre/form | Electronic books. |
| Genre/form | History. |
| ISBN | 9780192569905 (electronic bk.) |
| ISBN | 0192569902 (electronic bk.) |
| ISBN | 9780192569899 (electronic bk.) |
| ISBN | 0192569899 (electronic bk.) |
| ISBN | (hardcover) |
| ISBN | (hardcover) |
| Stock number | 6705B6A4-4A86-47DC-9C38-03F637065967 OverDrive, Inc. http://www.overdrive.com |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |