Chapter 1

The Disappearing Spoon Chapter 1

Summary

     In the book the Disappearing Spoon Sam Kean it talked about the importance of the periodic table and how each row, column, or period contains a unique element that varies in sizes, protons, and charges. Although the group that has the most Valence electrons would be the "Noble Gases" which the word "Noble" was used in a less chemistry sense referring to the gases. The Noble gases were known not just for their valence electrons but for the bonding with other elements. Helium being one of Plato's favorite elements as he emphasizes its erotic nature with his passions. 

      The ph scale as the author describes is not just a simple scale to determine acids and bases but to figure out the amount of Hydrogen ions in a compound. Additionally, when a ph number is raised by 1 it would actually go up by ten. Acids though in a compound are tough to maintain in an ordinary plastic container which is why they are supposed to contained them in a glass flask to control the powerful acids from dissolving everything else in their path. The have also been acids so powerful that were required a specialized glass to maintain it. 

     A well known scientist mentioned many times in the book is Gilbert Lewis. Lewis was a great scientist that has made many changes in the world of chemistry and one of those is the manhattan project which was later known the invention or creation of the first atomic bomb. The well-known scientist could've lived a happy life but that wouldn't be the case. Lewis would go around the world during world war 1 and world war 2 supporting the causes in the war effort. Not to mention as good as a scientist he was, he never had a Noble prize award for all his work over the years. 

Reflection

     On chapter 1 in the book I liked the way sam kean referred all of the elements used in a story to better understand each element on how it was used in events from the past experiences. Another personally thought was comical and sad at the same time is how they Referred everyone who helped make the atomic bomb "Heroes," even though it killed many lives both military and innocent. Also the discovery of the stomach acid ph level which is 1. This discovery helped me find out that there was more acids that were stronger than our bodily fluids. 

      The one thing I disliked the most is how Gilbert Lewis never had a noble prize or was considered more important than others. Also how his life was never the way he wanted it to be; instead Lewis got used and forgotten by some and died lonely in his Laboratory. Which his death was caused by a deadly gas  used frequently that gave him a heart attack. Although he was never a monumental figure to some, he seemed like a decent, smart, Scientist that should be shown respect for his hard work as a chemist and the person who helped built/organized the laboratory in the university of berkeley.

Guideline Questions

1.Both Helium and Oxygen are similar because they can bond with other elements by their electrons. But the difference is how they the Helium is a Noble gas and Oxygen is a Halogen gas.The author refers to the Periodic table metaphorically as a castle but also as a map. 

2.Helium is a member of the Group called the Noble Gases.

3.The subatomic particle is an electron because the element can become an cation or anion.

4.If you go up or down by 1 on the PH scale, you've changed by the factor of ten. This is similar to the Richter scale, which measures the strength of an earthquake. So an acid with a ph of 3 is 1,000 times stronger than an acid with a ph of 6. 

5.Gilbert Lewis changed it to be called an Universal acid/solvent. 

6. Maria Goeppert-Meter was a German scientist that was from generations of professors. She explained how helium, oxygen, and calcium are all common by being a universal element that is most abundant.