{"product_id":"the-lost-elements-the-periodic-tables-shadow-side-hardcover","title":"The Lost Elements: The Periodic Table's Shadow Side - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMarco Fontani\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eMariagrazia Costa\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eMary Virginia Orna\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Periodic Table of Elements hasn't always looked like it does now, a well-organized chart arranged by atomic number. In the mid-nineteenth century, chemists were of the belief that the elements should be sorted by atomic weight. However, the weights of many elements were calculated incorrectly, and over time it became clear that not only did the elements need rearranging, but that the periodic table contained many gaps and omissions: there were elements yet to be discovered, and the allure of finding one had scientists rushing to fill in the blanks. Supposed \"discoveries\" flooded laboratories, and the debate over what did and did not belong on the periodic table reached a fever pitch. With the discovery of radioactivity, the discourse only intensified. Throughout its formation, the Periodic Table of Elements has seen false entries, good-faith errors, retractions, and dead ends. In fact, there have been more falsely proclaimed elemental discoveries throughout history than there\u003cbr\u003eare elements on the table as we know it today. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Lost Elements: The Periodic Table's Shadow Side\u003c\/em\u003e collects the most notable of these instances, stretching from the nineteenth century to the present. The book tells the story of how scientists have come to understand elements, by discussing the failed theories and false discoveries that shaped the path of scientific progress. We learn of early chemists' stubborn refusal to disregard alchemy as a legitimate practice, and of one German's supposed discovery of an elemental metal that breathed. As elements began to be created artificially in the twentieth century, we watch the discovery climate shift to favor the physicists, rather than the chemists. Along the way, Fontani, Costa, and Orna introduce us to the key figures in the development of today's periodic table, including Lavoisier and Mendeleev. Featuring a preface from Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann, \u003cem\u003eThe Lost Elements\u003c\/em\u003e is an expansive history of the wrong side of chemical discovery-and reveals how these errors and gaffes have helped\u003cbr\u003eshape the table as much as any other form of scientific progress.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarco Fontani\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eMariagrazia Costa\u003c\/strong\u003e both are affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence. \u003cstrong\u003eMary Virginia Orna\u003c\/strong\u003e is Professor of Chemistry at the College of New Rochelle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 576\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.75 x 10.21 x 5.61 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 03, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47454560944306,"sku":"9780199383344","price":78.12,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0770\/3891\/1666\/files\/2da64e566d9c611da0509870f399def5.webp?v=1778854438","url":"https:\/\/box.dadyminds.org\/products\/the-lost-elements-the-periodic-tables-shadow-side-hardcover","provider":"DADYMINDS BOX","version":"1.0","type":"link"}