Scerri, Eric R. (Author)
Oxford University Press
Physical Details: xxxiii + 270 pp.; ill.
Language: English
The book covers a period roughly spanning the two world wars, beginning with the discovery of protactinium in 1917 and ending with that of promethium in 1945. In some cases, the state of war directly influenced attempts to isolate some of the seven elements---this is true of protactinium, when, in 1916, its discoverer, Lise Meitner, wrote of the problems she encountered in purchasing even the most basic items of laboratory equipment. During the second war, the discovery of nuclear fission, also by Meitner and her associates, quickly led to the development of the nuclear weapons program and the associated technologies of particle accelerators. Clearly, scientific discoveries occur within a social and political context and the discovery of the seven elements is no exception. This book draws together for the first time the fascinating stories of the discoveries of these seven elements, placing them in historical context.
...MoreDescription On seven chemical elements dscovered from 1917 to 1945 and their relationship to developments in nuclear physics in peacetime and wartime.
Review Kevin de Berg (2014) Review of "A Tale of Seven Elements". Science and Education (pp. 1953-1956).
Review Scerri, Eric R. (2013) Review of "A Tale of Seven Elements". Bulletin for the History of Chemistry (p. 157).
Review Roberts, Jacob (2013) Review of "A Tale of Seven Elements". Chemical Heritage.
Review Kaji, Masanori (2015) Review of "A Tale of Seven Elements". Isis: International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences (pp. 212-213).
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