The Sixth Element: How Carbon Shapes Our World
Carbon may not belong to the ancient circle of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and metal) created from the ashes of the Big Bang, yet it plays a vital role in most things. We usually talk very little about carbon and its undeniable influence – from the smallest components of DNA to the immensity of the universe – but it stands as a cornerstone of existence. It is present in almost every part of our lives, visibly apparent in all living forms and in the materials that shape our world, from everyday items we use (such as cars, mobile phones, plastics and cement) to scientific advances like historical age-dating. As such, our first impression of the book is that it makes carbon seem like one of the most vital and fascinating elements in the field of chemistry. Coincidentally, its consideration here as the ‘sixth element’ matches its position in the periodic table because its atomic number is six (six protons in its heart and six electrons dancing around it).
The book is neatly structured, beginning with a brief introduction to carbon’s origin, discovery and importance, explaining the complex chemistry in a clear and elegant way. The authors’ playful take on scientific facts and explanations makes the reading experience both fun and enlightening, with sections on Sociable Carbon, Black Holes as Cosmic Vacuum Cleaners, Earth Residing in the Solar System’s Prime Real-Estate District, and Mars’ Location in our Astronomical Backyard. Snow and Brownlee conclude with an epilogue on the evolutionary history of research into carbon, which, for many readers, may also serve as a prologue or an extended abstract of the book. Here, they touch upon the struggles of scientists, particularly women, in academia during the early days of carbon research, which is crucial for understanding the human side of discovery.
The contents is well-complemented by photographs, graphs, tables and diagrams placed thoughtfully throughout. Meanwhile, notes at the end of each chapter provide definitions of key terms, supplementary information and references for further reading. Collectively, The Sixth Element will be enjoyable for both scientists and anyone with the slightest interest in scientific history or curiosity to learn new things.
Review by R. Arun Prasath and Pruthul Patel
DETAILS:
BY: Theodore P. Snow and Don Brownlee (2024) Princeton University Press, 264 pp. (hbk/ebook)
ISBN: 9780691125886
PRICE: £22 press.princeton.edu
