Chapter 19

The final chapter of The Disappearing Spoon is entitled "Above (and Beyond) the Periodic Table." Kean introduces the reader to the element francium. Although its radioactivity gives it potential as a weapon, francium is highly reactive and unstable, and as a result, is extremely scarce. Scientists calculated that roughly between twenty to thirty ounces of francium exist at any given moment. In contrast, estimates hold that only one ounce of astatine exist. Kean explains that about 90% of the universe is made up of hydrogen, the other 10 percent is made of helium, and every other particle "is a cosmic rounding error." There are four fundamental forces in nature; gravitation, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. The nuclei of all atoms employ the strong nuclear force and electromagnetic force. The strong nuclear force has an extremely small range, but is about a hundred times more powerful than electrostatic force is within its own reach. Actually, the weak nuclear force is responsible for radiation.
      Scientist theorize the existence of an "island of stability" further along the periodic table. They believe that past some very unstable elements with lifespans far smaller than a second, there lie more stable elements. Some of these elements already have placement names based on Greek and Latin. Kean muses that these are the last holdouts of the influence of the classical languages on science. Hypothetically, the final element is element 137, feynmanium. This is because of the alpha variable being, hopefully, fixed at 1/137. An atom with more than 137 protons, would have electrons that move faster than the speed of light, which is theoretically impossible. Kean leads into the conclusion of the chapter with some thoughts on the periodic table. If aliens arrived on Earth, they may not understand our language or cultures, or they may not even communicate vocally, but they will probably understand the periodic table. Not the periodic table's structure or numbers, but the concept. With this, Kean begins to talk about various forms of the periodic table he's seen. He amiably speaks of pyramid shaped tables, and some shaped as a Möbius trip. He also explains other designs; rows that double back, a honeycomb-style design, a pyramidal Rubik's Cube in which every piece has a different element on every face, and a solar system periodic table design with hydrogen in the center. Kean ends the book on a hopeful note, claiming that aliens would admire our periodic table.
      I liked how Kean explained how the stability of elements appears to work. The "island of stability" was interesting to learn about, as common logic would make you think that elements grow more unstable as you go further along the periodic table. I also liked the part in which Kean wrote about alternate ways for the periodic table to be formatted, it was intriguing. Personally, I like a lot of the circular periodic tables, even the spiral ones. I also like the three dimensional ones because they look so surreal. If I had a bae, I would tell them not to expect a disappearing spoon in any part of this book. Frankly, I'm a bit disappointed. Still, I learned about the furthest reaches of the periodic table and how science is taking steps to reach further into new territory.