Profiles seven people--including Marie Curie, Enrico Fermi, Robert Oppenheimer, and Andrei Sakharov--whose study of the atom has shaped the field of nuclear science during this century.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up?Greek philosopher Democritus may have posited the existence of atoms, but it wasn't until the 19th century that scientists really began to study them. Starting with Henri Becquerel's discovery of radioactivity, the chief theories and significant findings of Marie and Pierre Curie, Ernest Rutherford, Enrico Fermi, Ernest O. Lawrence, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Maria Goeppert-Mayer, and Andrei Sakharov are revealed in chronological order. Each chapter is divided into information about the individuals' early lives, accomplishments, and ideas, all of which are explained in simple terms. Fox highlights the characteristics that led to the subjects' achievements and the character flaws that sometimes interfered with their social success. Black-and-white portraits and snapshots show the scientists at work as well as with their families. A few photographs of the testing and use of atomic bombs emphasize the power of such weapons. An annotated list of Internet resources leads readers to greater depth of discovery. While most of these scientists have been the subject of individual biographies, the chronological perspective provided here gives a well-rounded grasp of the development of this young science.?Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 6^-12. Books in the Lives in Science series examine the growth of a scientific field by profiling the lives of its major contributors. In this entry, Fox introduces readers to the world of nuclear science by profiling seven men and women whose study of the atom has influenced the major social and political events of the twentieth century. Fox covers the development of the science in chronological order, examining each pioneer's life in light of his or her groundbreaking contribution: Curie and radioactivity, Rutherford and the identification of the nucleus, Fermi and the first nuclear chain reaction. Lawrence, Oppenheimer, Goeppert-Mayer, and Sakharov are also included. Researchers as well as budding scientists will find this a concise, readable overview of the field. A glossary, a bibliography, and a list of Internet resources are appended. Mary Romano Marks
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Karen C. Fox is a veteran science writer who has covered physics and astrophysics for 18 years. Her writing has run the gamut from describing stellar fusion for children's books to magazine articles on particle accelerators to developing NIST's website on establishing national energy and environmental impact standards to producing a teacher's guide on low-temperature physics. She believes anyone can understand complex physics when explained properly, and prides herself on producing successful, factual, and enjoyable science translations for lay audiences.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gives Physics a Human Side,
By Catherine Cooke (CatJoCooke@aol.com) (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Chain Reaction (Lives in Science) (Library Binding)
As someone who only studied as much physics as high school curriculum required (and, as I recall, fighting all the way), I was pleased to find a book that really spoke to me. Learning about the people behind the science is a great way for students to develop interest in physics itself. Having read this book I want to know more about what Marie Curie studied because I now know why it interested her - and I feel that I have enough of a basic understanding to do so. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers of young adults. Karen Fox is a great writer - clear, concise, and entertaining. This book would be especially effective for cross-subject teaching - reading, writing, science/physics, and sociology. Thank you Karen Fox!
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book a must read!,
By Karin Heineman (kheinema@aip.org) (Maryland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Chain Reaction (Lives in Science) (Library Binding)
Karen Fox is a terrific writer, I hope she continues to write more books on physics. Physics is fun!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
