| Designed especially for students in middle school, but also appropriate for high school, this three-volume introduction to the chemical elements meets its stated objective of providing "a valuable source of fundamental information for research reports, science fair projects, classroom demonstrations," and supplemental textbook information. The 112 elements of the periodic table are arranged alphabetically by chemical name, with the exception of elements 101^-112, which are discussed under the entry transfermium elements. Although the entries vary in length (e.g., actinium is three pages long, carbon is twelve pages), each follows the same format. The first page outlines "basic information about the chemical element: its chemical symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, family and pronunciation." It includes a diagram of an atom with the electrons arranged in energy levels outside the nucleus and the number of protons and neutrons indicated inside the nucleus. The entry then discusses the element's discovery and naming, physical and chemical properties, occurrence in nature, isotopes, methods of extraction, important compounds and uses, and health effects. Sidebars within the entries highlight commonly used terms, well-known products, interesting facts, and scientists. |