Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?* The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. THE DISAPPEARING SPOON masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery--from the Big Bang through the end of time.
*Though solid at room temperature, gallium is a moldable metal that melts at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A classic science prank is to mold gallium spoons, serve them with tea, and watch guests recoil as their utensils disappear.
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山姆·基恩,美国科学促进会院士,美国华盛顿特区专业作家,曾任米德柏利环境报道研究员。2009 年,获美国科学作家协会埃弗特·克拉克/ 塞思·佩恩最佳青年科学作者奖。2010 年,获D.C. 科学作家协会年度新闻简讯奖。
目前,山姆为美国《科学》杂志撰稿人。其作品多发表于《纽约时报》等著名刊物。
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