Since publication of John Emsley's Nature's Building Blocks in 2003 there have been a number of new developments. Fully updated for 2010, this fascinating A-Z guide includes three new named and validated elements, new uses, a 'Deadly elements' section, and an updated Periodic Table. A wonderful reference guide for anyone working with elements.
This accessible book aims to de-mystify the part chemicals play in the products we have in our home and what benefits they bring.
This fascinating book takes the reader on a journey of discovery into the world of dangerous organic poisons.
Welcome to a tour of some of the recent advances in chemistry, taking in the cosmetic factory, the pharmacy, the grooming salon, the diet clinic, the power plant, the domestic cleaning company, and the art gallery along the way. Award-winning popular science writer John Emsley is our guide as he addresses questions of grooming, health, food, and sex. The trip is for all those of us wanting to know more about the impact of chemical products on our everyday lives. Each chapter begins with a fictional news item from the future speculating on the possible benefits that might develop from further approaches to research, and each chapter ends by addressing an issue of concern related to the topics discussed. These include whether homeopathic medicines really work, date rape drugs, how the toxic chemical acrylamide got into our food, and whether great artists were affected by the pigments they used. With his informal style, linking well-founded chemicals knowledge to fun situations, the author presents the information in a way such that the layperson can easily understand the arguments, weighing up the risks and benefits for each product concerned. Includes a glossary containing all the technical terms used for non-specialists.
What is it in chocolate that makes us feel good when we eat it? What's the molecule that turns men on? What's the secret of Coca-Cola? In this book, the author takes us on a guided tour through a rogue's gallery of molecules, some harmful, some pleasant, showing how they affect our lives.
This text discusses food intolerance, suggesting that if we can identify which components of our diet are likely to cause intolerance, then we can make sure we don't take in too much at one meal and so provoke the body to react. schovat popis
What killed Charles II? Who thought he had discovered the perfect poison? Why did hatters go mad? This is an account of murderous chemical elements. Through stories of innocent blunders, poisoners of various hues - cold, cunning, desperate - and deaths that remain a mystery, it uncovers the dark side of the Periodic Table.
The incredible ""glowing"" history of the ""Devil's element ""phosphorusDiscovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion! Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly compounds derived from phosphorus today-The 13th Element weaves together a rich tableau of brilliant and oddball characters, social upheavals, and bizarre events.
Focusing on the significance of chemical analysis in crime detection, this book captivates both scientists and non-scientists. It combines entertainment with education, offering insights into the latest advancements in forensic science and its crucial role in solving crimes.
At a pivotal moment for our planet, the book explores the potential for sustainable chemistry to transform industries like pharmaceuticals and agriculture, ensuring a better future for all. It argues that chemistry, often reliant on fossil fuels, can evolve to promote health and well-being without sacrificing progress. John Emsley, a renowned science writer, delves into essential aspects of modern life—such as food, water, and energy—highlighting how sustainable practices can enhance quality of life globally while addressing environmental concerns.