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Review - Chemical Chaos - Nick Arnold

Chemistry is the archetypal mad science - pongs, test tubes and explosions - so it's not entirely surprising that this is one of the better Horrible Science books. Nick Arnold takes us on a pleasantly rambling tour of scientific experiments, elements and compounds and much more.

There's plenty of opportunity to dwell on smells and bangs and such, which keeps things going nicely. Arnold also gives us just enough about the historical characters - we get a picture of the personalities involved without it ever becoming over biographical.

A few small gripes. In common with the rest of the series, the book uses little quizzes with upside down answers, which aren't really suitable for a popular science book - the quiz isn't a problem, but the upside down bit breaks the reading flow. The handling of atoms is iffy - the illustrations suggest a 1950s style solar system model, and though Arnold describes the electrons in a way that suggests a fuzzy cloud, he then spoils it by saying that they have to be in certain orbits, reinforcing the solar system look. (I know the term orbits is still used, but it's misleading when accompanied by those cartoons!) The word alkali is used, then base, without ever saying why the change of name. We're lectured on the way anything can be a gas, liquid or solid, then told that the sun consists of a "plasma of hydrogen and helium gasses" - why gasses? Oh, and there's a great opportunity missed when asking if custard is a liquid or a solid. What Arnold seems not to know is that custard is thixotropic - it turns solid under pressure - and there's a great kids' experiment of squeezing a strong solution of custard powder in water between your fingers: it turns into powder, then re-liquefies when you let go.

That might seem a long list, bit the moans are minor and don't get in the way of this being a useful, readable and fun introduction to chemistry. Chemistry can be a bit of a Cinderella of the sciences, without the personal interest of biology or the fundamental power of physics - this book reminds us that it's still crucial stuff and fun too. Recommended.

Also available in a library binding: and in a combined edition with Blood, Bones and Body Bits (hardback):

Reviewed by Jo Reed

* Our age range recommendation is an estimated guide, but individual readers outside the range could still enjoy the book!

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