Summary of sam kean's the disappearing spoon

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The periodic table is a chart of the elements, and it is available to everyone. It is organized and honed, but it is still a jumble of long numbers, abbreviations, and computer error messages. #2 The castle is made up of different materials in different areas. The coordinates of an element determine nearly everything scientifically interesting about it. The noble gases are a set of elements in column eighteen at the far right-hand side of the table. #3 Helium is an example of an element that cannot be broken down or altered by normal, chemical means. It took scientists 2,200 years to realize what elements really are, because most are too changeable. #4 The repose of the noble gases is rare. The most energetic and reactive gases are found in the halogen column to the west, and they form an alliance of interests with the alkali metals.