ligytha reviewed Atoms, Electrons, and Change (Scientific American Library) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is beautiful. The full colour illustrations are stunning. It is written in nontechnical language and on a level a little higher than a PBS NOVA special. While it explains things in plain English, it isn't dumbed down. The book is divided into 9 chapters:
1 - Unleashing the Flame - takes an introductory look into the nature of chemical reactions.
2 - The Arena of Reaction - explains how subatomic particles make up atoms and how they influence reactions.
3 - The Might of Minimal Change - shows how important small changes are; it covers carbon, acids and bases, precipitation, and redox reactions.
4 - Contributions to Chaos - is an introduction to thermodynamics and entropy.
5 - The Block on the Path - explains the factors that influence how fast reactions happen.
6 - Concentration, Oscillation, and the Emergence of Form - continues explaining reaction rates.
7 - The Voyage of Transformation - is a short introduction to organic chemistry.
8 - Symmetry and Destiny - shows how the structure of a chemical influences its reations.
9 - Light and Life - details photosynthesis.
The book also includes a list for further reading and an index. Although the book was published many years ago (1991), it has held up well and is not out of date. People without technical expertise in these fields will find it to be an excellent introduction and people with technical expertise will find it an interesting review.
1 - Unleashing the Flame - takes an introductory look into the nature of chemical reactions.
2 - The Arena of Reaction - explains how subatomic particles make up atoms and how they influence reactions.
3 - The Might of Minimal Change - shows how important small changes are; it covers carbon, acids and bases, precipitation, and redox reactions.
4 - Contributions to Chaos - is an introduction to thermodynamics and entropy.
5 - The Block on the Path - explains the factors that influence how fast reactions happen.
6 - Concentration, Oscillation, and the Emergence of Form - continues explaining reaction rates.
7 - The Voyage of Transformation - is a short introduction to organic chemistry.
8 - Symmetry and Destiny - shows how the structure of a chemical influences its reations.
9 - Light and Life - details photosynthesis.
The book also includes a list for further reading and an index. Although the book was published many years ago (1991), it has held up well and is not out of date. People without technical expertise in these fields will find it to be an excellent introduction and people with technical expertise will find it an interesting review.
