Chapter 1

Summary:           

          This chapter was mostly about certain rows in the periodic table and certain elements that are in the given rows. First of all, to better explain the periodic table, writer, Sam Kean, mentioned that the table was like a castle and that the elements were the building blocks. He also made it clear that if any of the blocks weren't there, that the castle could not stand. This example made the idea of the periodic table more understandable. Now that the periodic table is easier to understand he goes on to speak of different columns of elements on the table. He goes on about the noble gases and the halogens and later the alkali metals explaining that each column of elements shares certain properties. 

          With it being obvious that the elements share properties, it was Kean's idea to move more deeply into certain elements. He goes on to explain how fascination helium- one of the purest elements- actually is. He states that helium is one of the purest substances and that it is impossible to break down this element. Helium is in the column of elements called the Noble Gases. The Noble Gases are all elements that are specifically gaseous such as neon, argon, and obviously helium. He then talks about how the element, helium, is made up of particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons. The understanding of these is that the electrons circle the nucleus where the protons and neutrons are. The electrons circle the nucleus in levels, and in the first level there are two spaces. Helium only has two electrons making the element independent because it does not need to share electrons. 

          After the explanation of helium, Kean begins to talk about scientists that are important to the field of chemistry: Gilbert Lewis and Maria Goeppert. Lewis was an amazing scientist to explain how the periodic table worked. He was able to work and settle down at UC Berkeley where he was later denied from getting the noble prize many times. It seemed that he just wasn't important enough and so the committee never awarded him. Also, Maria Goeppert was usually denied because of her gender, but she was a scientist who did whatever she could, even if she was her husbands shadow. 

Reflection: 

          The chapter, overall, was very interesting and insightful. It made the periodic table even more to clear to me now than before. I liked how much detail writer Sam Kean got into when explaining the element helium. I was actually surprised, for I did not know that helium was independent; the idea never dawned on me. I honestly disliked the length, but I suppose more words equals more information. On a night out with bae, I would most likely bring up the fact that helium can't be broken down just so I could put in a cheesy joke. For example, "Helium is an unbreakable element, just like our love."