Reactions

An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe

Contributors

By Theodore Gray

On Sale
Oct 27, 2020
Page Count
240 pages
ISBN-13
9780762497362

In Reactions, bestselling author Theodore Gray demonstrates, through stunning, never-before-seen images and illustrations, how molecules interact and change in ways that are essential to our existence. 

With Reactions, Theodore Gray completes the journey through the chemical world that began with the tour de force The Elements and continued with Molecules. In The Elements Gray showed us a never-before-seen photographic view of the 118 elements in the periodic table. In Molecules, he showed us how the elements combine to form the matter that makes up our world. At last, we’ve arrived at the final step in the chemical process. Reactions  begins with a recap of elements and molecules and the goes on to explain the concepts that characterize a chemical reaction, including energy, entropy, and time. Gray introduces us to his favorite reactions, from those characterized by ignition and explosion, to photosynthesis, to “The Boring Chapter” in which he dives deep into reactions like paint drying, grass growing, and water boiling. 

Reactions is the spectacular finale of the three-act chemical drama that Gray has illustrated for us over the years in his engaging, entertaining, and inimitable way.  

  • "[A] sumptuous coffee-table odyssey from the characters of individual atoms to our astonishing ability to 'see' molecules orbiting distant stars. The pictures complement the text ideally, whether of sugar and oxygen reacting in 'a lovely fireball' or-in the enjoyably named 'The Boring Chapter'-an artist's impression of what paint is doing while you watch it dry. The perfect adjunct to a chemistry set for any curious youngster, as long as you're not worried about explosions."
    Wall Street Journal
  • "In Reactions [Gray] offers a lavishly illustrated tour of [the] molecular battleground, full of wit and wonder."
    Nature
  • "Reactions concludes Gray's epic story of our chemical world.... In Elements, Gray taught us about the 118 elements; Molecules showed us how they combine; and in Reactions, he demonstrates, through his arresting photography and witty text, how molecules interact in ways that are essential to our very existence."
    Publishers Weekly
  • "Reactions is a great way to continue exploring the world, with Gray as your tour guide."
    Geek Dad

Formats and Prices

Price

$19.99

Price

$24.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Trade Paperback $19.99 $24.99 CAD
  2. ebook $15.99 $20.99 CAD
  3. Hardcover $29.99 $37.99 CAD

Theodore Gray

About the Author

Theodore Gray is the author of The ElementsMolecules, and Reactions as well as Theodore Gray's Completely Mad Science, How Things Work, and Engines. He is the creator of the bestselling iPad apps "Elements" and "Molecules," which have both been named App of the Week by Apple, and he was the director of "Disney Animated," also honored by Apple as iPad App of the Year. He co-founded Wolfram Research, Inc., makers of the widely used software Mathematica and the the Wolfram Alpha website. He lives in Urbana, Illinois.

Nick Mann is a photographer specializing in taking beautiful photos of inanimate objects on black backgrounds. His other work includes The ElementsMolecules, ReactionsHow Things Work and Engines. In his other life, he designs and makes specialized note-taking fieldwork equipment and he works in the quality control department for a large automotive company. He lives in Urbana, Illinois.

Learn more about this author