The Elements

The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
by Theodore Gray

An eye-opening, original collection of gorgeous, never-before-seen photographic representations of the 118 elements in the periodic table. The elements are what we, and everything around us, are made of. But how many elements has anyone actually seen in pure, uncombined form? The Elements provides this rare opportunity. Based on five years of research and photography, the pictures in this book make up the most complete, and visually arresting, representation available to the naked eye of every atom in the universe. Organized in order of appearance on the periodic table, each element is represented by a spread that includes a stunning, full-page, full-color photograph that most closely represents it in its purest form.

Also included are fascinating facts, figures, and stories of the elements as well as data on the properties of each, including atomic weight, density, melting and boiling point, valence, electronegativity, and the year and location in which it was discovered. Several additional photographs show each element in slightly altered forms or as used in various practical ways. The element's position on the periodic table is pinpointed on a mini rendering of the table and an illustrated scale of the element's boiling and/or melting points appears on each page along with a density scale that runs along the bottom.

Packed with interesting information, this combination of solid science and stunning artistic photographs is the perfect gift book for every sentient creature in the universe.  240-page hardcover book, lavishly illustrated with over 200 photographs.

Museum Provenance

This book, The Elements, recalls studies at our National Museum of Natural History, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex, dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions and educational outreach programs. Scientists and researchers explore areas of anthropology, ethnology, botany, entomology, invertebrate and vertebrate zoology and the mineral sciences. They study in a university-like atmosphere to explore the history of our planet and the processes and peoples that shape it today, as well as travel to the four corners of the earth for research and collection. There are over 126 million items in the ever-growing collections ranging from fossilized pollen to bones of Tyrannosaurus rex, tiny crustaceans to giant squid, ancient spear points to Chinese shoes and the Hope Diamond to moon rocks.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.