Chemistry Was Their Life

British chemistry has traditionally been depicted as a solely male endeavour. However, this perspective is untrue: the allure of chemistry has attracted women since the earliest times. Despite the barriers placed in their path, women studied academic chemistry from the 1880s onwards and made interesting or significant contributions to their fields, yet they are virtually absent from historical records.Comprising a unique set of biographies of 141 of the 896 known women chemists from 1880 to 1949, this work attempts to address the imbalance by showcasing the determination of these women to survive and flourish in an environment dominated by men. Individual biographical accounts interspersed with contemporary quotes describe how women overcame the barriers of secondary and tertiary education, and of admission to professional societies. Although these women are lost to historical records, they are brought together here for the first time to show that a vibrant culture of female chemists did indeed exist in Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

British chemistry has traditionally been depicted as a solely male endeavour. However, this perspective is untrue: the allure of chemistry has attracted women since the earliest times. Despite the barriers placed in their path, women studied academic chemistry from the 1880s onwards and made interesting or significant contributions to their fields, yet they are virtually absent from historical records. Comprising a unique set of biographies of 141 of the 896 known women chemists from 1880 to 1949, this work attempts to address the imbalance by showcasing the determination of these women to survive and flourish in an environment dominated by men. Individual biographical accounts interspersed with contemporary quotes describe how women overcame the barriers of secondary and tertiary education, and of admission to professional societies. Although these women are lost to historical records, they are brought together here for the first time to show that a vibrant culture of female chemists did indeed exist in Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Contents:IntroductionGetting an Education: The Professional SocietiesThe London Co-educational CollegesThe London Women's CollegesEnglish Provincial UniversitiesThe Cambridge and Oxford Women's CollegesUniversities in Scotland and WalesHoppy's 'Biochemical Ladies'Women CrystallographersWomen in PharmacyThe Role of Chemists' WivesWomen Chemists and the First World WarThe Interwar Period and Beyond Readership: Historians of science, chemists, those with an interest in women's studies, educationalists, and general readers. Keywords:History;Chemistry;Science;Women;Education;University;SchoolKey Features:Presents the only published account of the lives and contributions of British women chemists from 1880 to 1949Examines the role of certain secondary schools and colleges/universities in encouraging women to choose a career in chemistryHighlights the role of certain males in championing the women chemists' cause and in mentoring individual womenDiscusses the reasons why women clustered in certain fields and the forgotten role of women chemists during the First World WarReviews:“Chemistry was Their Life has been very well researched and is extensively referenced … It is of great interest also to read of the battle which these women had to obtain recognition by professional societies.”Chemistry World “Chemistry was Their Life is an important contribution to the history of chemistry, providing a glimpse into the lives of pioneering British women. It has a lot of information about the women who worked in one or another capacity as chemists … It is warmly recommended to all chemists, chemistry historians, and to scientists involved with gender studies.”Structural Chemistry

This book highlights the importance of chemistry in human well-being by introducing the readers to the basic usefulness of chemistry in everyday life. Chemistry has helped in creating valuable products that have transformed the lifestyle of people. Since we spend lots of money in buying our daily requirements, there is a need for us to understand the benefits and hazards of using consumer products which contain chemicals. In this context, this book will help readers to make reasoned choices and intelligent decisions in buying consumer products which contain chemicals. This text is divided into seventeen chapters devoted to the basic necessities of life like food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and energy and consumer products. Topics on chemistry in environment, crime, warfare, arts, conservation, communications and transportation are also highlighted in individual chapters. All these topics are discussed with regard to the needs of modern society. In this third edition, the various chapters have been updated with current information keeping the language simple and friendly. Critical thinking exercises and questions have been included. The style of questions included in the book is to meet the requirement of various competitive examinations such as Indian Civil Services and entrance examinations in medicine and engineering.

Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula offer a fully integrated approach to the study of physical chemistry and biology.

A giant in the field and at times a polarizing figure, F. Albert Cotton’s contributions to inorganic chemistry and the area of transitions metals are substantial and undeniable. In his own words, My Life in the Golden Age of Chemistry: More Fun than Fun describes the late chemist’s early life and college years in Philadelphia, his graduate training and research contributions at Harvard with Geoffrey Wilkinson, and his academic career from becoming the youngest ever full professor at MIT (aged 31) to his extensive time at Texas A&M. Professor Cotton’s autobiography offers his unique perspective on the advances he and his contemporaries achieved through one of the most prolific times in modern inorganic chemistry, in research on the then-emerging field of organometallic chemistry, metallocenes, multiple bonding between transition metal atoms, NMR and ESR spectroscopy, hapticity, and more. Working during a time of generous government funding of science and strong sponsorship for good research, Professor Cotton’s experience and observations provide insight into this prolific and exciting period of chemistry. Offers personal and often wry perspective from this prominent chemist and recipient of some of science’s highest honors: the U.S. National Medal of Science (1982), the Priestley Medal (the American Chemical Society's highest recognition, 1998), membership in the U. S. National Academy of Sciences and corresponding international bodies, and 29 honorary doctorates Details the background behind the development and emergence of groundbreaking research in organometallic chemistry and transition metals Provides beautifully-written and engaging insight into a "Golden Age of Chemistry" and the work of historically renowned chemists

FINALIST for the Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books “This book shows that chemistry is not just relevant to life; it’s really, really interesting.”—Foreword Reviews, STARRED review A perfect book for readers of The Physics of Everyday Things and Storm in a Teacup Have you ever wondered why your alarm clock sends you spiraling? Or how toothpaste works on your teeth? Why do cakes and cookies sometimes turn out dry? (Hint: you may not be adding enough sugar.) In Chemistry for Breakfast, award-winning chemist and science communicator Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim reveals the amazing chemistry behind everyday things (like baking and toothpaste) and not-so-everyday things (like space travel). With a relatable, funny, and conversational style, she explains essential chemical processes everyone should know—and turns the ordinary into extraordinary. Over the course of a single day, Mai shows us that chemistry is everywhere: we just have to look for it. In the morning, her partner’s much-too-loud alarm prompts a deep dive into biological clocks, fight-or-flight responses, and melatonin’s role in making us sleepy. Before heading to the lab, she explains how the stress hormone cortisol helps wake us up, and brews her morning coffee with a side of heat conduction and states of matter. Mai continues her day with explainers of cell phone technology, food preservation, body odor, baking, the effects of alcohol, and the chemistry behind the expression “love drunk.” All the while, she shows us what it’s really like to be a working chemist, and fights against the stereotype of a nerd playing with test tubes in a lab coat. Filled with charming illustrations, laughter, and plenty of surprises, Chemistry for Breakfast is a perfect book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of chemistry without having prior knowledge of the science. With Mai as your guide, you’ll find something fascinating everywhere around you.

This volume contains the lectures presented at the second course of the International School of Space Chemistry held in Erice (Sicily) from October 20 - 30 1991 at the "E. Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture". The course was attended by 58 participants from 13 countries. The Chemistry of Life's Origins is well recognized as one of the most critical subjects of modem chemistry. Much progress has been made since the amazingly perceptive contributions by Oparin some 70 years ago when he first outlined a possible series of steps starting from simple molecules to basic building blocks and ultimate assembly into simple organisms capable of replicating, catalysis and evolution to higher organisms. The pioneering experiments of Stanley Miller demonstrated already forty years ago how easy it could have been to form the amino acids which are critical to living organisms. However we have since learned and are still learning a great deal more about the primitive conditions on earth which has led us to a rethinking of where and how the condition for prebiotic chemical processes occurred. We have also learned a great deal more about the molecular basis for life. For instance, the existence of DNA was just discovered forty years ago.

How do soaps and detergents clean? Why do metals conduct electricity? How does burning fossil fuel contribute to global warming? The answers to these questions are found by examining the properties and behaviors of atoms and molecules. Insightful explanations and hands-on science activities simplify complicated chemistry principles into pieces of information that are more easily grasped. Sidebars include discussions on animals that can live thirty years without water, the Maillard reaction responsible for the taste and texture of french fries, the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and how tires provide a cushion of air to smooth our rides. This book allows students to appreciate that when it comes to understanding the world around us, tiny molecules can provide big explanations.