The Wonder Book of Chemistry - Paperback

Classic Chemistry Education Through Storytelling

The Wonder Book of Chemistry by Jean-Henri Fabre presents chemistry concepts through an engaging narrative format. Written as conversations between Uncle Paul and his two nephews, Jules and Emile, this book introduces scientific principles through practical, hands-on experiments using common household materials.

Hands-On Science Experiments

This educational book demonstrates chemistry experiments using everyday objects found around the house or local store. Readers learn to build artificial volcanoes, set metals on fire, understand water's flammable properties, make invisible ink, and explore the science behind effervescent beverages. The experiments use simple apparatus including common flasks, bottles, old mustard pots, tumblers, goose-quills, and pipe-stems.

Educational Approach

Fabre's teaching method combines demonstration with explanation. The book follows the principle that "to see is to know," making abstract chemistry concepts tangible through direct observation. Young readers engage with scientific phenomena by seeing, touching, tasting, handling, and smelling the results of experiments. This multi-sensory approach brings elementary chemistry to life for beginning students.

Author's Background

Jean-Henri Fabre, a renowned naturalist, created this work for his own children. The characters Jules and Emile are the author's actual sons, portrayed authentically in the narrative. Fabre's chemistry lessons achieved notable success by making complex scientific concepts accessible to young minds through simple demonstrations and clear explanations.

Complete Chapter Coverage

The book covers fundamental chemistry topics including simple and compound substances, experiments with air and breath, combustion, oxygen, hydrogen, water composition, carbonic-acid gas, different water types, plant chemistry, sulphur, chlorin, and nitrogen compounds. Each chapter builds upon previous knowledge, creating a comprehensive introduction to elementary chemistry.

Book Details

This Paperback edition is published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. Translated by Florence Constable Bicknell, the text has been completely reset rather than scanned, ensuring clear, readable text throughout. The translation preserves Fabre's engaging style while making the content accessible to English-speaking readers.

CONTENTS

Translator's Preface
Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter II: Mixing and Combining
Chapter III: The Slice of Toast
Chapter IV: Simple Substances
Chapter V: Compound Substances
Chapter VI: Experiments with the Breath
Chapter VII: Experiments with Air
Chapter VIII: Further Experiments with Air
Chapter IX: The Two Sparrows
Chapter X: Burning Phosphorus
Chapter XI: Burning Metals
Chapter XII: Salts
Chapter XIII: A Talk on Tools
Chapter XIV: Oxygen
Chapter XV: Air and Combustion
Chapter XVI: Rust
Chapter XVII: At the Blacksmith's
Chapter XVIII: Hydrogen
Chapter XIX: A Drop of Water
Chapter XX: A Piece of Chalk
Chapter XXI: Carbonic-Acid Gas
Chapter XXII: Different Kinds of Water
Chapter XXIII: Plants at Work
Chapter XXIV: Sulphur
Chapter XXV: Chlorin
Chapter XXVI: Nitrogen Compounds

Note: This is not a "scan" copy but has been completely reset.