Chemical Evolution across Space and Time From the Big Bang to Prebiotic Chemistry

by Zaikowski, Lori; Friedrich, Jon

• ISBN13: 9780841274310
• ISBN10: 0841274312
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-02-15
• Publisher: American Chemical Society

Summary

The concept of evolutionary change is a fundamental thread linking the sciences. An evolutionary perspective can provide one framework for unifying and advancing the sciences, and chemistry has made important contributions to our understanding of evolution. Chemists today use principles of evolution and take lessons from chemistry in nature to advance modern chemistry in areas such as agriculture, energy, new materials, and pharmaceuticals. The book explores the evolutionary nature of chemistry and the scientific evidence that supports it, and is a source of ideas for integrating these concepts in chemistry courses. The publication will be of interest to chemists, instructors and students of chemistry, and all others with an interest in the evolution of the universe in which we live. This volume continues the theme of Chemical Change Across Space and Time: From the Big Bang to Prebiotic Chemistry . This second volume begins with origins of life and culminates with applications of the concept of chemical evolution in modern society.

Author Biography

Lori Zaikowski, Chemistry Department Chair, Dowling College Jon M. Friedrich, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Fordham University

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Preamble	p. xvii
Introduction
The Emergence of Chemical Complexity: An Introduction	p. 2
Chemical Evolution in Astrophysics
Chemical Origins: Nuclear Chemistry in the Early Universe	p. 16
Origin of the Elements: Nucleosynthesis in Stars	p. 39
Circumstellar Chemistry and Dust from Dead Stars in Meteorites	p. 61
Chemical Evolution in the Interstellar Medium: Feedstock of Solar Systems	p. 80
Identifying Molecules in Space: Exploring Astrochemistry through High-Resolution Spectroscopy	p. 111
Geochemical Evolution: Solar System and Earth
Chemical Diversity and Abundances across the Solar System	p. 130
Photochemistry in the Early Solar System	p. 141
Lessons from Meteorites	p. 153
Chemistry and Composition of Planetary Atmospheres	p. 187
Hafnium-Tungsten Chronometry of Planetary Accretion and Differentiation	p. 208
Prebiotic Chemistry
Cosmic Carbon Chemistry	p. 232
Extraterrestrial Organic Chemistry as Recorded in Carbonaceous Chondrites	p. 246
Earth's Early Atmosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere, and Hydrosphere	p. 261
Prebiotic Organic Synthesis in Neutral Planetary Atmospheres	p. 282
The RNA World Scenario for the Origins of Life	p. 293
Summary: Systems Chemistry Sketches
Systems Chemistry Sketches	p. 310
Teaching Chemical Evolution
Science and the Concept of Evolution: From the Big Bang to the Origin and Evolution of Life	p. 326
Online Tools for Understanding Galactic Chemical Evolution	p. 343
Spectroscopy and the Cosmos: Applications in the Chemical Sciences	p. 349
Development of Laboratories for Teaching Chemical Principles Using Radio Astronomy	p. 363
Chemistry of Life: Chemical Evolution as a Theme for Teaching Undergraduate Chemistry	p. 378
Afterword	p. 389
Glossary	p. 391
Indexes
Author Index	p. 401
Subject Index	p. 403
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