Books in The Periodic Table series

Why are the gases of group 18 called the noble gases? How do krypton bulbs, neon lights, and argon lasers work? What are radon seeds and radon daughters? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Neon and the Noble Gases’. This book explores how these gases that have no color, no odor, and hardly ever form compounds with other elements are part of the chemical “life” of Earth.

What are YAG crystals used for? How are new elements created? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Uranium and the Rare Earth Metals’. This book investigates the uses for these elements, from tracer bullets to television sets. It explains isotopes, half-lives, and the different forms of radiation. This book explores both the wonderful and terrible ways in which radioactivity is used. Elements in this book: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, actinium, thorium, protactinium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, curium, berkelium, californium, einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium, nobelium, and lawrencium.

Why did so many chemists die trying to discover fluorine? How do the halogens keep us safe? What do fireworks have in common with PVC? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Fluorine and the Halogens’. This book explains why these colorful, smelly elements are so good at forming salts and other substances. It explores how their compounds affect our food and water, our health, and the natural world. You will see how they are used to make many things we take for granted, including pans and sportswear. The trend in state from the gaseous fluorine and chlorine to the liquid bromine and then the solid iodine is clearly described. Other elements discussed include chlorine, bromine, iodine, and the mysterious astatine.

How cold is liquid nitrogen? Which substance dissolves gold? Why is arsenic used in computers? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Nitrogen and the Elements of Group 15’. This book explores how nitrogen, a colorless, unreactive gas, is vital for every living thing and is an important part of chemicals such as ammonia and nitric acid, that are so useful in our everyday lives. Phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth all have interesting and diverse properties, which are described and related to their fascinating uses in the home and in industry.

What is a metalloid? Who invented dynamite? Which two elements are found in fool’s gold? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Oxygen and the Elements of Group 16’. This book explores the nature of oxygen, its importance to living organisms, and its role in chemical reactions that both sustain life and make possible many industrial processes. Additional elements in Group 16, including sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium, are also examined.

How cold is liquid nitrogen? Which substance dissolves gold? Why is arsenic used in computers? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Nitrogen and the Elements of Group 15’. This book explores how nitrogen, a colorless, unreactive gas, is vital for every living thing and is an important part of chemicals such as ammonia and nitric acid, that are so useful in our everyday lives. Phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth all have interesting and diverse properties, which are described and related to their fascinating uses in the home and in industry.

What is a reactivity series? Why is bone so strong? Which elements have a half-life? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Calcium and the Alkaline Earth Metals’. This book explores the nature of calcium, its role in sustaining health, and its place on Earth among rocks and minerals. Calcium plays an essential role in many compounds that are then used in important processes. The other alkaline earth metals examined in this book include beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium, and radium.

How can you make rubies and sapphires from aluminum? What is black diamond? How do LCDs work? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Aluminum and the Elements of Group 13’. This book describes the properties of aluminum that at one time made it more valuable than gold. It shows how aluminum and its compounds are used in the transportation, medicine, and food and drink industries. Other elements discussed include boron, gallium, indium, and thallium. The trends in density and melting point as you go down this group are described and demonstrated by the interesting ways these elements and their compounds are used.

Why did so many chemists die trying to discover fluorine? How do the halogens keep us safe? What do fireworks have in common with PVC? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Fluorine and the Halogens’. This book explains why these colorful, smelly elements are so good at forming salts and other substances. It explores how their compounds affect our food and water, our health, and the natural world. You will see how they are used to make many things we take for granted, including pans and sportswear. The trend in state from the gaseous fluorine and chlorine to the liquid bromine and then the solid iodine is clearly described. Other elements discussed include chlorine, bromine, iodine, and the mysterious astatine.

What is a metalloid? Who invented dynamite? Which two elements are found in fool’s gold? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Oxygen and the Elements of Group 16’. This book explores the nature of oxygen, its importance to living organisms, and its role in chemical reactions that both sustain life and make possible many industrial processes. Additional elements in Group 16, including sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium, are also examined.

What is gold used for? Why is cobalt chloride paper so useful? How much does a gold bullion bar weigh? Find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions in ‘Gold and the Elements of Groups 8 to 12’. These elements are also called transition metals. Some occur naturally, and others are manufactured. In addition to gold, silver, and copper, other elements in these groups include ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, iridium, and palladium.