Four Elements

Four Elements

Author: Rebecca Rupp

Pages: 351

Publisher: Profile Books

An eminently readable scientific book, presented in an easy to read and simple language. It traces the origins of scientific thought and the quest for elements which are the building blocks of matter. The book presents a historical survey of water, air, fire and earth, the ancient Greek’s fundamental components of the universe. Thales of Miletus posited that water was the basic element of matter. His pupil, Anaximander (610-546 BC) chose earth, Anaximenes (585-525 BC) chose air and Heraclitus chose fire. Empedocles combined all four in a ‘unified theory’. Plato taught his atomic theory in his academy. It was the closing of Plato’s Academy in 529 AD (after 900 years of service) on orders of Justinian that traditionally marks the beginning of the dark ages. Aristotle added the fifth element, ether to the list. Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan (Geber) postulated that all matter is composed of sulfur and mercury which could then be recombined in a different ratio to generate another metal, say, gold. Effective recombination required a catalyst, which Geber referred to as al-iksir (or elixir). Paracelsus of 15^th century combined the Greek and Arabic scholars while Robert Boyle (17^th century) refuted all these and built the foundations of modern Chemistry.

The book then delves into varied and interesting data on each of the four elements, beginning with water. A very interesting anecdote is given, proving the gullibility of the unsuspecting public. Nathan Zohner, a student in the US collected signatures of 86% of his class to ban the substance “Dihydrogen Monoxide” which he claimed is responsible for thousands of deaths annually (by accidental inhalation), is a prime component of acid rain, and has been shown to accelerate the corrosion and rusting of many metals. In gaseous form, it causes severe – even fatal – burns. And the stuff is addictive. Dependency on it is irreversible: complete withdrawal results in certain death!

The book then explains water’s molecular structure and properties, water cycles, presence of it in early earth, history of swimming, and on and on. It is an excellent browser’s paradise. So many topics, in so few pages. A perfect beginning for those who want more.

An excellent work by Ms Rupp. Nothing more, nothing less.

Overall rating: 4 Star