Books in Exploring the Continents series

"Silver has always been a precious metal, used in photography, dentistry, currency, knives, forks, and spoons (better known as, yes, silverware!). Silver is used in x-rays, mirrors, and even medical bandages. In this book, we'll explore how silver was first discovered and used, and how it forms into compounds and alloys. Readers will discover where silver fits in the Periodic Table, and how silver plays a part in modern day electronics from cell phones to computers, but is no longer used in coins, given its expense. Interesting chemistry terms are accompanied by illustrations and photographs to bring silver to gleaming life."--

"Oxygen is essential to life on Earth, but what is this tasteless, colorless, element? From how oxygen was discovered to how it supports life, this book answers all your questions about element we all depend on. Readers will learn about atoms, molecules, and how oxygen fits in the Periodic Table. Discussions of photosynthesis, combustion, and oxygen compounds explore the role of oxygen in our world. Interesting and accessible explanations of chemistry terms are accompanied by lively illustrations and stories that bring the subject to life."--

This book asks the questions that young people want answered about South America. Each chapter of this book contains the answers to a different question about this continent. This book includes clear and detailed maps to assist readers in their quest for information. Explanations are given to help students understand a range of issues in South America.

"Oxygen is essential to life on Earth, but what is this tasteless, colorless, element? From how oxygen was discovered to how it supports life, this book answers all your questions about element we all depend on. Readers will learn about atoms, molecules, and how oxygen fits in the Periodic Table. Discussions of photosynthesis, combustion, and oxygen compounds explore the role of oxygen in our world. Interesting and accessible explanations of chemistry terms are accompanied by lively illustrations and stories that bring the subject to life."--

Since ancient times, people the world over have valued gold above most metals. For at least 5,000 years, gold has been used to make jewelry, coins, art objects, and other valuable items. Today, gold also has many industrial applications, from computers to medicine. In this book, students will learn about the elemental properties of gold, how gold is mined and processed, and how, through the centuries, the quest for gold has led to war.

"Potassium is bananas! You can probably find potassium in your kitchen. This silvery white element is in bananas, avocados, nuts, chocolate, and potatoes. It's also found in ocean water. In the human body, potassium helps keep our bones healthy and our muscles contracting properly. Potassium is used in many everyday items, such as fire extinguishers, fertilizers, soaps, and batteries. K is potassium's symbol, from the Latin word "kalium." This book will help students better understand the basics of chemistry as they learn what potassium is and how this soft metal is used in our world."--

"Silver has always been a precious metal, used in photography, dentistry, currency, knives, forks, and spoons (better known as, yes, silverware!). Silver is used in x-rays, mirrors, and even medical bandages. In this book, we'll explore how silver was first discovered and used, and how it forms into compounds and alloys. Readers will discover where silver fits in the Periodic Table, and how silver plays a part in modern day electronics from cell phones to computers, but is no longer used in coins, given its expense. Interesting chemistry terms are accompanied by illustrations and photographs to bring silver to gleaming life."--

"In ancient times, humans used lead in everything from cooking tools to water pipes to cosmetics. That was before scientists discovered that lead is poisonous to humans. Today lead is still useful, but we use it with more care in items that hold corrosive materials -- like car batteries that hold acid -- or to protect us from harmful radiation -- like in X-ray machines or nuclear reactors. Pb is lead's symbol, from the Latin word plumbum. This book will help students better understand the basics of chemistry as they learn what lead is and how this toxic but important metal is used in our world." -- Back cover.