Inside you will find expert explanations, dynamic cutaways and breathtaking images help its eager audience to understand and explore the wonders of chemistry. Making complex topics accessible for readers of all ages.
Welcome
The power of atoms • Atoms are the ultimate construction kit. With a big enough collection, you can build everything from Venus de Milo to Venus the planet…
Anatomy of an atom • What are the fundamental parts that make an atom?
Atomic models
What are elements and compounds?
Radioactive decay explained
How to split an atom
Atom anatomy • The structure of these microscopic building blocks drives the chemistry of the universe
The birth of atoms
What your tea’s made of • There are more atoms in a cup of tea than cups of water in all the oceans
Inside an atom • Lifting the lid on the subatomic particles that make up the atoms in the air we breathe
Atomic evolution • Our understanding of atomic structure has come a long way in the past 200 years
Smaller still
Your guide to the elements • How these chemical building blocks make up life, the universe and everything
Everyday elements • Look around and you’ll discover dozens of different elements
Elements, mixtures and compounds • What are the differences between these configurations of atoms?
You are made of stardust • The elements that make up our bodies were forged inside ancient stars
What is DNA? • Every living creature is a consequence of DNA – discover how it works here
Four vital molecules • DNA’s organic bases make up the most important code in the universe
What is RNA?
Chemical bonds • Bonding between chemicals is a simple matter of attraction
Breaking down gas chromatography • Need to split a substance into its base components? Then you need to get hold of a gas chromatograph…
The magic of carbon chemistry • Discover how this protean wonder-element can make more than 9 million different chemical compounds
Stronger than steel
Kinds of carbon • This versatile element comes in a variety of forms called allotropes
Reading the carbon clock • High-energy cosmic rays help us to work out when ancient plants and animals died
Buckyballs in space
The sulphur cycle • Always mixing and mingling, sulphur is an element that really likes to get around
Sulphur and the climate
What is sulphur?
How do noble gases work? • What makes this select bunch of chemical elements so ‘noble’?
Making light of helium • Known best for making balloons float, this element’s uses are surprisingly versatile
Hydrogen: the unifying element • The most common element in the universe is actually quite rare here on Earth
Acids and bases • Discover the differences between acids and bases, and find out why they act the way they do
The pH scale • Sort your acids from your alkalis with this simple 15-point chart
Everyday pH • Universal indicator can tell you where everyday solutions sit on the pH scale
How litmus paper reveals pH • The science behind the simple tool able to identify a solution’s acidity
How does chlorine clean swimming pools? • The chemical reaction that stops swimmers from getting sick
How bleach kills germs • This cleaning cupboard staple tears through proteins, destroying bacteria and viruses in minutes
How is bleach made?
Fluoride explained • How this mineral can protect your pearly whites
Making fertiliser • How the Haber process helps us grow food
Where does acid rain come from? • We’ve all seen the effects of acid rain on limestone statues, but...