The Periodic Table

A Very Short Introduction

De: Eric R. Scerri

Narrado por: Eric Scerri

The periodic table of elements, first encountered by many of us at school, provides an arrangement of the chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties, and divided into periodic trends. In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Eric R. Scerri looks at the trends in properties of elements that led to the construction of the table and shows how the deeper meaning of the table's structure gradually became apparent with the development of atomic theory and, in particular, quantum mechanics, which underlies the behavior of all of the elements and their compounds.

This new edition celebrates the completion of the seventh period of the table, with the ratification and naming of elements 113, 115, 117, and 118 as nihonium, moscovium, tennessine, and oganesson. Eric R. Scerri also incorporates new material on recent advances in our understanding of the origin of the elements, as well as developments concerning group three of the periodic table.

©2019 Eric R. Scerri (P)2021 Tantor

Fascinating historical Account

Some people have an aptitude for musical notes while others seek to make sense of nature and the universe via other faculties. The author of ‘The Periodic Table’ takes us on a journey of discovery which highlights personalities along with their significant contributions to the field of chemistry. Having struggled in college with both physics and chemistry I found this work refreshing in that it did not assume a prior scientific conceptual framework but rather built one step-by-step — advancing along as each discovery was unfolded. Much about the relationships between physics and chemistry and how they ‘fertilized’ each other allow me to see much more clearly just how we as a civilization have gotten to where we are now. The author’s personal Audible reading of his work gave it a credibility which otherwise would surely have been lost with any other reader. I was saddened to finish this book but look forward to any future communications I might be fortunate enough to have with the author regarding how a Unified Field Chart (UFC) of chemistry might be updated as a useful educational tool.

Atomic mass or atomic number

Excellent narration. First time herd of left step order and spiral, from the traditional rectangle.

Good but requires a chemistry background

Not quite like other very short introductions as this seems to assume a science background. I think the hard copy of this introduction would be more useful than audiobook. That said the performance was excellent.