J. Lagowski – Chemistry. Foundations and Applications (2004)

Автор: J. Lagowski
Название книги: Chemistry. Foundations and Applications
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Химия
Страницы: 1419
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Chemistry. The word conjures up mystery—perhaps magic—smoke, fireworks,
explosions, unpleasant odors. But it could evoke “smokeless burning,”
which would be invisible, fluorescent lights, “neon” signs, the quiet
crumbling of rocks under the pressure of freezing water, the slow and quiet
formation of caves in limestone, and the delightful scents of perfumes or
fruit aromas. There is no magic, only knowledge and understanding. We
offer this Encyclopedia as a contribution to help readers gain knowledge and
understanding of chemistry.
Chemistry was manifested as an art at the beginnings of civilization.
The early decorative chemical arts included the preparation of pigments
such as the Egyptian blue applied to King Tutankhamen’s golden death
mask; the various bronze alloys that were used to make vases in the ancient
world of the Middle East as well as in China; and the glass objects that have
been found in Mesopotamia (now known as Iraq). Those chemical arts became
a science in the eighteenth century when Antoine Laurent Lavoisier
(1743–1794) led what has been called “the chemical revolution.” Using
accurate measurements of primarily mass, early chemists began to make
order out of the myriad of substances that are found in the natural world.
This order was eventually expressed in a number of chemical concepts
that include the laws of chemical composition (constant composition, mass
conservation, multiple proportions), periodicity, the nature of atoms, chemical
bonding, and a variety of concepts involving chemical structures. The
early symbiosis of chemistry with civilization remains. Chemistry is still a
useful science in the advancement of civilization. Chemists have developed
and refined the core concepts of chemistry to the point where they have
become powerful tools to assist humankind in the acquisition of materials
of practical use to extend and preserve civilization. Humans now have
available a broader array of substances with a remarkable spectrum of
properties than was available before chemistry became a science. Light
emitting diodes (LEDs) produce more light than the individual torches,
candles, and oil lamps of the distant past—indeed, than the incandescent
light bulbs of the immediate past—more efficiently and with less pollution.
Polymeric materials or composites can be produced with virtually any property
desired—from stretching clingy Saran Wrap to Kevlar used in bullet
proof vests; from nonstick Teflon to optical fibers; from rubber objects that
are impervious to oil and gasoline to tires that can be used for 100,000 miles
before needing replacement; from fibers that compete with (in some cases surpass) natural materials to plastics that have more desirable optical properties
than glass. In a word, chemistry is everywhere.
There is no magic, only knowledge and understanding.
These volumes are a contribution to assist readers in their understanding
of chemistry and chemical ideas and concepts. The 509 articles have
been carefully chosen to provide basic information on a broad range of
topics. For those readers who desire to expand their knowledge of a topic,
we have included bibliographic references to readily accessible sources.
The continual evolution of the discipline of chemistry is reflected in our
treatment of the elements. The careful reader will note that we have included
articles for the first 104 elements; the remainder of the elements are
“recently” discovered or exist only as short-lived species and, accordingly,
are not readily available for the usual chemical studies that reveal, for example,
their bulk properties or reactivity and much of the “standard chemistry”
that is of interest. Much of what little we know about the elements
beyond 104 permits us to place these elements in their appropriate places
in the periodic table, which nevertheless still turns out to be quite insightful
from a chemical point of view.
Entries in the Encyclopedia are in alphabetic sequence. Cross-references
appear in small capitals at the ends of the articles to help readers locate related
discussions. Articles range from brief, but concise, definitions to
extensive overviews that treat key concepts in larger contexts. A list of common
abbreviations and symbols, and a list of the known elements, as well
as a modern version of the periodic table are included in the For Your
Reference section at the beginning of each volume. A glossary and a comprehensive
index appear at the end of each volume. Contributors are listed
alphabetically, together with their academic and professional affiliations, at
the beginning of each volume.
Following this preface, we offer a topical arrangement of the articles in
the Encyclopedia. This outline provides a general overview of the principal
parts of the subject of chemistry and is arranged in alphabetical order.
Many individuals have contributed greatly and in many ways to this
Encyclopedia. The associate editors—Alton J. Banks, Thomas Holme, Doris
Kolb, and Herbert Silber—carried the major responsibility in shaping the
intellectual content of the Encyclopedia. The authors of the articles executed
that plan admirably and we thank them for that effort.
The staff at Macmillan Reference USA—Marie-Claire Antoine, Hélène
Potter, Ray Abruzzi, Gloria Lam, and Christine Slovey—have been outstanding
in their dedication and contributions to bring this Encyclopedia from
its initial concept to the current reality. Without their considerable input,
insightful guidance, and effort this Encyclopedia would never have seen the
light of day. I take this opportunity to thank them personally and publicly.
I am particularly grateful to Rita Wilkinson, my administrative assistant for
her persistent and careful attention to details that kept the editorial office
and my office connected for the smooth transmission of numerous critical
details. I am especially grateful to Christine Slovey who, through her determined
efforts and dedication, made a potentially difficult and tedious task
far less onerous and, indeed, enjoyable.