The Secret Life of the Periodic Table
Unlocking the mysteries of all 118 elements
Published on 17. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-78840-584-3 (ISBN)
Description
Every element has character, be it volatile, aloof, gregarious or enigmatic. They also have incredible stories of how they came to be, how they were discovered and how their qualities have been harnessed to make everything we have in the world.
Dr Ben Still takes you through all the groups, revealing the fascinating circumstances of their discoveries and explaining their characteristics and behaviour, often delving inside the atom to explain their structure in a way easily accessible to everyone. Insightful illustrations help you to understand even the most complex-looking aspects of quantum physics, bringing the periodic table to life.
Incredibly enlightening, The Secret Life of the Periodic Table will entertain and inform in equal measure. Take a trip through the ages of exploration, enjoying the story of how Mendeleev's table came to be; it is the story of one the greatest pattern-seeking accomplishments of humankind.
Contents include:
- Atomic physics
- The quantum atom
- Trends and patterns
- Alkaline earth metals
- Metalloids
- Future elements
Dr Ben Still takes you through all the groups, revealing the fascinating circumstances of their discoveries and explaining their characteristics and behaviour, often delving inside the atom to explain their structure in a way easily accessible to everyone. Insightful illustrations help you to understand even the most complex-looking aspects of quantum physics, bringing the periodic table to life.
Incredibly enlightening, The Secret Life of the Periodic Table will entertain and inform in equal measure. Take a trip through the ages of exploration, enjoying the story of how Mendeleev's table came to be; it is the story of one the greatest pattern-seeking accomplishments of humankind.
Contents include:
- Atomic physics
- The quantum atom
- Trends and patterns
- Alkaline earth metals
- Metalloids
- Future elements
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
232 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78840-584-3 (9781788405843)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2025
Cassell
€6.49
Available for download
Dr Ben Still
Secret Life of the Periodic Table
E-Book
10/2016
1st Edition
Octopus
€3.99
Available for download
Persons
Dr Ben Still is a Physicist at the University of London. Alongside his research career Ben has been an advocate of new methods of communicating physics. He has worked with artists, designers, and illustrators to show complex physics research topics in a new light. Ben also teaches Science in schools and develops innovative methods of classroom teaching. For his contribution to science communication Ben has been presented with multiple national awards.
Following a childhood interest Ben went to Leicester to read for a masters in Physics with Space Science and Technology. During the course his attention was instead drawn to the world of particle physics. Ben went on to the University of Sheffield where he gained a PhD in experimental particle physics. Ben then continued his career as a physicist as a Research Associate at Queen Mary University of London where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow.
Following a childhood interest Ben went to Leicester to read for a masters in Physics with Space Science and Technology. During the course his attention was instead drawn to the world of particle physics. Ben went on to the University of Sheffield where he gained a PhD in experimental particle physics. Ben then continued his career as a physicist as a Research Associate at Queen Mary University of London where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow.