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Elements #3
Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe, Book 3 of 3
The third installment in Theodore Gray's "Elements" trilogy.
Theodore Gray continues the journey through our molecular and chemical world that began with The Elements and continued with Molecules. In Reactions, Gray once again puts his photography and storytelling to work demonstrating how molecules interact in ways that are essential to our very existence. The book begins with a brief recap of elements and molecules and then goes on to explain important concepts the characterize a chemical reaction, including Energy, Entropy, and Time. It is then organized by type of reaction including chapters such as "Fantastic Reactions and Where to Find Them," "On the Origin of Light and Color," "The Boring Chapter," in which we learn about reactions such as paint drying, grass growing, and water boiling, and "The Need for Speed," including topics such as weather, ignition, and fire.
Theodore Gray continues the journey through our molecular and chemical world that began with The Elements and continued with Molecules. In Reactions, Gray once again puts his photography and storytelling to work demonstrating how molecules interact in ways that are essential to our very existence. The book begins with a brief recap of elements and molecules and then goes on to explain important concepts the characterize a chemical reaction, including Energy, Entropy, and Time. It is then organized by type of reaction including chapters such as "Fantastic Reactions and Where to Find Them," "On the Origin of Light and Color," "The Boring Chapter," in which we learn about reactions such as paint drying, grass growing, and water boiling, and "The Need for Speed," including topics such as weather, ignition, and fire.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2017
199 people are currently reading
1355 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Gray
29 books120 followersTheodore Gray is the author of 'The Elements' and 'Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home-But Probably Shouldn't', and of Popular Science magazine's 'Gray Matter' column. He is the proprietor of periodictable.com and the creator of the iconic photographic periodic table poster seen in universities, schools, museums, and on TV shows from 'MythBusters' to 'Hannah Montana'. In his other life, he is co-founder of the software company Wolfram Research, creators of the world's leading technical software system, Mathematica®, and WolframlAlphaTM. He lives in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
From periodictable.com
From periodictable.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 5, 2018
Fantastic pop-sci book on Chemistry. The Chemical Trilogy is simply amazing. You will fall in love with chemistry. Just one suggestion: you don't have to end with a trilogy. An interesting idea would be making the fourth book all about "Biochemistry". Imagine a version of this book but all chemical reactions are about human's sleeping, eating, love, sex, exercising, getting sick, getting old, passing away, bathroom hygiene, pregnancy, child born, listening to music, the awe of hiking the highest mountain, the resonance of hearing a beautiful poetry, happiness, hatred, angriness, etc. It would be fun.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
November 10, 2017
This book is jam-packed with all kinds of fantastic photos of all the reactions throughout the world and explanations of how chemistry works. It's a really cool book to have and leave on your coffee table and show your guests for conversation on all these different subjects. So interesting. Love to have the whole set, The Elements and Molecules. The amount of work that went into this book is outstanding. So happy to have this book.
December 31, 2017
Gray’s follow up to Atoms and Molecules is just as good as those two books. I read this on kindle and the the formatting was terrible for the ebook version. You should read the big, beautifully illustrated coffee table version instead.
January 6, 2018
Not as interesting as Elements and Molecules. Maybe it's just more exciting to watch a reaction in motion rather than just pictures in a book.
December 21, 2019
Theodore Gray's chemistry books:
Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
Photos of Gray's collection of objects made of pure or nearly-pure chemical elements. Comparing this book to Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything drives home the fact that it's only in combining with other elements that the chemical elements become interesting.
Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything
Takes some of the mystery out of organic chemistry by showing the simple ways carbon combines with hydrogen and other atoms. Shows the "dictionary" of amino-acid codons genes are written in. This is much the most interesting of Gray's chemistry books (unless you intend to actually blow stuff up). In this book Gray chose his subjects for their chemically interesting properties he wanted to share. He laments that he ended up with a book of pictures of white powders.
Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe
Here Gray gives us colorful pictures and words. I didn't find the chemistry as interesting as in Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything.
Theodore Gray's Completely Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home, But Probably Shouldn't , The Complete and Updated Edition
Crazy dangerous demonstrations, up to and including salting popcorn by reacting pure chlorine with pure sodium. Some of them are less life-threatening than that. Combines Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home - But Probably Shouldn't and Mad Science 2: Experiments You Can Do At Home, But STILL Probably Shouldn't.
Some insights Gray shares:
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/auth...
Gray's Mathematica books: This is his day job. His boss, Stephen Wolfram, has praised Gray's ability to find simple ways to do the seemingly computationally impossible.
https://www.wolfram.com/books/search....
Exploring Mathematics with Mathematica: Dialogs Concerning Computers and Mathematics
The Beginner's Guide to Mathematica (R) Version 3
By the way, there's a version of Mathematica free online, Wolfram Alpha:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/
It can solve and plot. Astounding what it can do.
Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
Photos of Gray's collection of objects made of pure or nearly-pure chemical elements. Comparing this book to Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything drives home the fact that it's only in combining with other elements that the chemical elements become interesting.
Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything
Takes some of the mystery out of organic chemistry by showing the simple ways carbon combines with hydrogen and other atoms. Shows the "dictionary" of amino-acid codons genes are written in. This is much the most interesting of Gray's chemistry books (unless you intend to actually blow stuff up). In this book Gray chose his subjects for their chemically interesting properties he wanted to share. He laments that he ended up with a book of pictures of white powders.
Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe
Here Gray gives us colorful pictures and words. I didn't find the chemistry as interesting as in Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything.
Theodore Gray's Completely Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home, But Probably Shouldn't , The Complete and Updated Edition
Crazy dangerous demonstrations, up to and including salting popcorn by reacting pure chlorine with pure sodium. Some of them are less life-threatening than that. Combines Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home - But Probably Shouldn't and Mad Science 2: Experiments You Can Do At Home, But STILL Probably Shouldn't.
Some insights Gray shares:
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/auth...
Gray's Mathematica books: This is his day job. His boss, Stephen Wolfram, has praised Gray's ability to find simple ways to do the seemingly computationally impossible.
https://www.wolfram.com/books/search....
Exploring Mathematics with Mathematica: Dialogs Concerning Computers and Mathematics
The Beginner's Guide to Mathematica (R) Version 3
By the way, there's a version of Mathematica free online, Wolfram Alpha:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/
It can solve and plot. Astounding what it can do.
December 18, 2017
Theodore Gray explains how elements interact with one another, the basics of chemical reactions, and looks at some ordinary and not so ordinary reactions.
Like Elements and Molecules this is not only great scientific information and a fantastic supplement to any chemistry textbook, but it is an important book for consumers. Gray informs, debunks common myths (especially myths about food labels and household products), and helps you understand things like why some paint is washable and others aren't. He also loves to explain what makes certain reactions go boom more than others in this. Highly recommended for any curious human, anyone who wants to be a smart consumer, and a must for chemistry classrooms.
Like Elements and Molecules this is not only great scientific information and a fantastic supplement to any chemistry textbook, but it is an important book for consumers. Gray informs, debunks common myths (especially myths about food labels and household products), and helps you understand things like why some paint is washable and others aren't. He also loves to explain what makes certain reactions go boom more than others in this. Highly recommended for any curious human, anyone who wants to be a smart consumer, and a must for chemistry classrooms.
December 28, 2017
Great pictures but leave out snarky comments
I got this book as a way to intrigue my son with some chemistry, and to give his dad, a chemical engineer, a starting point for talking about these topics. Photos are great but geez, a few pages in and I read snarky comments on laws around homeopathic medicine regulation? Since you tout this as a factual science book, leave that stuff out. Express that in a personal blog, I just thought any editor worth their salt would have omitted such a jarring political/legal opinion amidst science. Would have gotten four stars if unrelated opinions had been edited out.
I got this book as a way to intrigue my son with some chemistry, and to give his dad, a chemical engineer, a starting point for talking about these topics. Photos are great but geez, a few pages in and I read snarky comments on laws around homeopathic medicine regulation? Since you tout this as a factual science book, leave that stuff out. Express that in a personal blog, I just thought any editor worth their salt would have omitted such a jarring political/legal opinion amidst science. Would have gotten four stars if unrelated opinions had been edited out.
October 25, 2022
I kept putting this book off because I was worried it would be text-dense and science term-laden, but it was actually neither of these things. Gray does a good job explaining the science of reactions and the elements that make them happen (literally, as in the table of elements, and figuratively) without making the book into a textbook. There are small bits of text on each page and large pictures, many of which feature large flames and explosions. Honestly the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is his style as a writer. He has a tendency to talk down scientists who don't hold the same views as he does, and engages in stereotypes and bad mouthing of other groups of people as well. I felt cringey reading some of this book.
April 27, 2018
Gray, Theodore. Reactions: An illustrated exploration of elements, molecules, and reactions (2017). This book is one of a three-part science series. The author mentions in the begging of his book on how he felt the reason to break up his series into just three parts: elements, molecules and reactions. In the span of ten years he broke up these three books in such order for one to see the importance of each in its own way. Reactions covers a review of elements and molecules and moves forward with topics such as chemical reaction, energy, time. His book structure is easy to follow and the mix of pictures and writing flow well. This series will be a great reference in all chemistry classes. Overall, this a great collection every school should have in their library and/or chemistry classes. Target audience: 12-17 years old. Middle school and high school.
February 24, 2018
I have read three books by Theodore Gray -- "Elements", "Molecules", and "Reactions". I don't know much about chemistry but these are excellent books. Gray has a way of simplifying explanations and giving a novice like me a chance of understanding some of it.
April 17, 2018
The only more spectacular than the information in this book was the photographs. Beautifully arranged and displayed to compliment the info on each page, this book explains the chemical processes we deal with in everyday life. A wonderfully put together reminder of the reactions around us.
January 1, 2018
Interesting explanations that trigger that kid in a science museum, wow the universe is awesome feeling, but Gray's sense of humor could be grating to some.
February 26, 2018
This is the third in a great trio of books about chemistry and physics. Great for anyone who wants to learn about the way our universe works in a funny and unique way.
December 21, 2022
Don't waste your time
Author patronizes the audience with worthless banter. If you are looking for an encyclopedia of reactions then keep on looking.
Author patronizes the audience with worthless banter. If you are looking for an encyclopedia of reactions then keep on looking.
September 5, 2023
This tome of science communication, “The Elements” trilogy by Theodore Gray gives a broad overview of chemistry which just breaks the surface of true understanding. With each edition better than the last, the atomic world expands fractal-like from below. Weaving in historical anecdotes and practical applications Theodor communicates the history of the field chemistry, the rational alchemists, industrious Germans, and enterprising scientists of polymer plastics.
For a mechanically inclined mind this is a marvelous introduction to chemistry, for an artistic one it may communicate that aesthetic beauty is composed of deeper substances. The beauty in every photograph which communicates a surpassing commitment to aesthetics and information, sign of a great science communicator. By initially stepping into the shallow end soon the reader is swimming alone in dihydrogen monoxide.
For a mechanically inclined mind this is a marvelous introduction to chemistry, for an artistic one it may communicate that aesthetic beauty is composed of deeper substances. The beauty in every photograph which communicates a surpassing commitment to aesthetics and information, sign of a great science communicator. By initially stepping into the shallow end soon the reader is swimming alone in dihydrogen monoxide.
April 18, 2023
BOOM! Another hit. Beautiful photography of reactions in action make all the difference. Gray guides and explains masterfully and never fails to entertain. This is perhaps not *quite* as satisfying as Elements and Molecules, but I'm not giving it a mere 4 stars. It's way too good for that. Every page is interesting to look at and fun to read. Again, Gray adds humor and personality to keep things lively.
This series has been more than just entertaining. It has made me look at at all sorts of things differently - it's like when you learn a new word and then see it in print the very next day. I can better relate to materials and chemistry when I encounter them now. The subject was mostly like a smooth wall before. This has given me something to grip onto.
This series has been more than just entertaining. It has made me look at at all sorts of things differently - it's like when you learn a new word and then see it in print the very next day. I can better relate to materials and chemistry when I encounter them now. The subject was mostly like a smooth wall before. This has given me something to grip onto.
December 30, 2018
I'm torn between giving this 3 or 4 stars. It's a gorgeous book, a coffee table book with big shiny pictures, and it's fun. On the other hand, some of the print is just TINY. When you look at the diagrams of the molecules, it's hard to read what elements you're looking at. Not much easier than looking at the actual molecule.
After checking this out from the New Book shelf at the library (I'm weak, and it always sucks me over there) I find out that this this book has 2 predecessors: Elements and Molecules. I might have gotten more out of it had I read those first. Nevertheless, it is a cool book.
After checking this out from the New Book shelf at the library (I'm weak, and it always sucks me over there) I find out that this this book has 2 predecessors: Elements and Molecules. I might have gotten more out of it had I read those first. Nevertheless, it is a cool book.
October 15, 2019
Fun, interesting and you learn random factoids about water, gunpowder and other cool stuff. I like his personalized style of teaching science, or at least trying to make science fun. Lots of cool images of explosions and such.
Probably the most valuable lesson in here is about entropy. Reaction can go either way when you consider only energy, but entropy defines the arrow of time. What is way more likely to happen. He explains that entropy is the increase in the state space of energy, I.e. how many different forms it can potentially take. More potential states, higher entropy.
Probably the most valuable lesson in here is about entropy. Reaction can go either way when you consider only energy, but entropy defines the arrow of time. What is way more likely to happen. He explains that entropy is the increase in the state space of energy, I.e. how many different forms it can potentially take. More potential states, higher entropy.
November 21, 2018
i wish i
d been given this book when i was 10 or 12, the photos are so cool, the smoke in them about jumps of the page, the writing is understandable( even to me!). this is the kind of book that creates ideas. Put it in a school library to show science can be big and fun and colorful.
Net Galley gave me a copy, but i may end up buying one and staying up late under the covers w/a flashlight to remind me of being a kid.
d been given this book when i was 10 or 12, the photos are so cool, the smoke in them about jumps of the page, the writing is understandable( even to me!). this is the kind of book that creates ideas. Put it in a school library to show science can be big and fun and colorful.
Net Galley gave me a copy, but i may end up buying one and staying up late under the covers w/a flashlight to remind me of being a kid.
October 27, 2019
Makes chemistry fascinating and beautiful
I first saw Elements years ago and enjoyed it in hardcover. I was pleased to see this 3rd book in the series, but this time I read it on an iPad with the Kindle app. It was just as beautiful and interesting as the preceding books. Theo Gray has just the right degree of wit and whimsy we all wish our high school chemistry teachers should have had.
I first saw Elements years ago and enjoyed it in hardcover. I was pleased to see this 3rd book in the series, but this time I read it on an iPad with the Kindle app. It was just as beautiful and interesting as the preceding books. Theo Gray has just the right degree of wit and whimsy we all wish our high school chemistry teachers should have had.
January 13, 2023
"Essentially all atoms that are not hydrogen are formed in the cores of stars. Many of these live out their whole existence entirely within their mother star, ending their lives in her cold remnant, or blended into the indistinguishable supernucleus of a neutron star. The most unfortunate drop out of our universe entirely, lost inside black holes, their fate beyond the reach even of our mathematics."
Yeah! Reactions!
Yeah! Reactions!
February 21, 2020
It started off really interesting and exciting with the different reactions explained in simple ways (and encouraging to try some out on my own), but then sort of pattered off a little. Everything was still interesting, just a bit hard to read too much in one sitting. The "boring" chapter wasn't boring at all. Water is the best!
January 7, 2023
I love Theodore Gray's other books, but this one just wasn't all that engaging and the explanations were lacking (imo). The photography is beautiful, but not as beautiful as the other 2 books in the series. I was considering adding this book to my chemistry curriculum, but decided it wasn't up to par compared to the other books.
June 2, 2020
Delicious! These books are fantastic! I wish every high school chemistry student would read these. High school chemistry can be less than exciting, but these books reveal how truly fascinating chemistry really is! As another reviewer stated, these books will make you fall in love with Chemistry!
July 26, 2022
Great book, poor Kindle version
The kindle version allows you to zoom in on pictures. However, the captions do not zoom and do not resize with font choices, so they are hard to read.
The kindle version allows you to zoom in on pictures. However, the captions do not zoom and do not resize with font choices, so they are hard to read.
January 5, 2018
Such an amazing book
January 21, 2018
His third installment is no less satisfying for chemistry geeks out there. Definitely a good read. I always learn something new from his books.
October 28, 2018
The third and final instalment of the series. Once again, fun and fascinating. I didn't feel this episode was quite as well organised as the others, but nonetheless a great read.
February 26, 2019
Very much visual and acclaimed book of T. Gray's triptych. Original approach to chemistry which was certainly much needed.
March 8, 2019
This guy writes like he doesn’t care who is reading, and it’s hilarious. I think he assumed everyone would just be looking at the pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews