The 13th Element
The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus
Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical
| Author: | John Emsley | ISBN: | 9781620459430 |
| Publisher: | Turner Publishing Company | Publication: | January 1, 2002 |
| Imprint: | Wiley | Language: | English |
| Author: | John Emsley |
| ISBN: | 9781620459430 |
| Publisher: | Turner Publishing Company |
| Publication: | January 1, 2002 |
| Imprint: | Wiley |
| Language: | English |
The incredible "glowing" history of the "Devil's element "phosphorus
Discovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion! Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly compounds derived from phosphorus today-The 13th Element weaves together a rich tableau of brilliant and oddball characters, social upheavals, and bizarre events.
The incredible "glowing" history of the "Devil's element "phosphorus
Discovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion! Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly compounds derived from phosphorus today-The 13th Element weaves together a rich tableau of brilliant and oddball characters, social upheavals, and bizarre events.
