Cracking the Elements

rom the earliest-known elements to those named in 2016, this book takes a comprehensive look at the development of the periodic table - and reveals untold stories, unsung pioneers and plenty of fascinating science along the way. In twelve illustrated chapters, the book makes sense of the patterns and groups within the periodic table, introducing each of the 118 known elements individually and exploring questions including:- Why did the history of fizzy water give early chemistry a sparkle?- How did hydrogen reveal the structure of the atom?- What was the Bunsen burner's role in discovering new elements?- Which of the alkaline earth metals accounts for a kilogramme of your weight?- Why is Marie Curie such a scientific star?- How do tungsten and vanadium explain the secret of super-sharp Syrian swords?- Who discovered the most elements in the periodic table?- What made nihonium, element 113, such a wonderful new year's gift for Japan?- Is glass a liquid or a solid?- How did nitrogen ful