It's a Gas
The Magnificent and Elusive Elements that Expand Our World
By Mark Miodownik | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
'A delight' Dara O Briain
'A witty, smart writer who has a great talent' Bill Gates
Why are most gases invisible, odourless and tasteless? Why do some poison us and others make us laugh? And why do some power our engines while others make drinks fizzy? In It's a Gas, Mark Miodownik masterfully reveals an invisible world through his unique brand of scientific storytelling.
Taking us back to that exhilarating – and often dangerous – moment when scientists tried to work out exactly what they had discovered, Miodownik shows that gases are the formative substances of our modern world, each with its own weird and wonderful personality.
We see how seventeenth-century laughing gas parties led to the first use of anaesthetics in surgery, how the invention of the air valve in musical instruments gave us bicycles, cars and trainers, and how gases made us masters of the sea (by huge steamships) and skies (via extremely flammable balloons). This delight of a book reveals the immense importance of gases to modern civilisation.
Editions of It's a Gas
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241376386
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241985595
- EBook
- ISBN 9780241985601
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780241997802
Read an Excerpt
'A delight' Dara O Briain
'A witty, smart writer who has a great talent' Bill Gates
Why are most gases invisible, odourless and tasteless? Why do some poison us and others make us laugh? And why do some power our engines while others make drinks fizzy? In It's a Gas, Mark Miodownik masterfully reveals an invisible world through his unique brand of scientific storytelling.
Taking us back to that exhilarating – and often dangerous – moment when scientists tried to work out exactly what they had discovered, Miodownik shows that gases are the formative substances of our modern world, each with its own weird and wonderful personality.
We see how seventeenth-century laughing gas parties led to the first use of anaesthetics in surgery, how the invention of the air valve in musical instruments gave us bicycles, cars and trainers, and how gases made us masters of the sea (by huge steamships) and skies (via extremely flammable balloons). This delight of a book reveals the immense importance of gases to modern civilisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is It's a Gas about?
'A delight' Dara O Briain
'A witty, smart writer who has a great talent' Bill Gates
Why are most gases invisible, odourless and tasteless? Why do some poison us and others make us laugh? And why do some power our engines while others make drinks fizzy? In It's a Gas, Mark Miodownik masterfully reveals an invisible world through his unique brand of scientific storytelling.
Taking us back to that exhilarating – and often dangerous – moment when scientists tried to work out exactly what they had discovered, Miodownik shows that gases are the formative substances of our modern world, each with its own weird and wonderful personality.
We see how seventeenth-century laughing gas parties led to the first use of anaesthetics in surgery, how the invention of the air valve in musical instruments gave us bicycles, cars and trainers, and how gases made us masters of the sea (by huge steamships) and skies (via extremely flammable balloons). This delight of a book reveals the immense importance of gases to modern civilisation.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in It's a Gas?
Mathematics and Science > Science: general issues > Popular science
Where can I read a sample of It's a Gas?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241376386
Who is/are the Author/s of the book It's a Gas?
Mark Miodownik
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
It's a Gas is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241376386) and paperback(ISBN 9780241985595) and ebook(ISBN 9780241985601) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241997802)
Where can I buy It's a Gas online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy It's a Gas from below
Where can I buy It's a Gas?