书名：The Chemical History of a Candle蜡烛的故事

作者：Michael Faraday迈克尔法拉第

出版社名称：Dover Publications Inc 

出版时间：2003

语种：英语 

ISBN：9780486425429 

商品尺寸：13.9 x 1.2 x 20.5 cm

包装：平装

页数：240（以实物为准）

【什么是蜡烛化学？】

法拉第*著名的通俗科学演讲，就是以蜡烛为题材的一系列演讲。在这演讲里他将各种与蜡烛燃烧的物理化学原理深入浅出地以实验示范方法介绍给青年学生。因这一系列演讲通常在圣诞节举行，所以又称为圣诞讲座(Christmas Lectures)。di一次蜡烛系列演讲开始于1827年，结束于1860年。演讲内容纪录于《蜡烛的化学史》(Chemical history of a candle)一书中。

本书共分为六章，除谈论到蜡烛制造、燃烧相关的气体外，并有专门章节提到火光、氧气及水、二氧化碳、燃烧产物的大气污染等，各种有关蜡烛燃烧的物理、化学原理。其中燃烧的物理、化学过程此一部分，虽然是151年前的科学，依然可以适用于现今的基础科学教材中，更可从中窥知法拉第蜡烛系列演讲的历久弥新。

One of the greatest experimental scientists of all time, Michael Faraday (1791–1867) developed the first electric motor, electric generator, and dynamo — essentially creating the science of electrochemistry. This book, the result of six lectures he delivered to young students at London’s Royal Institution, concerns another form of energy — candlelight.

Faraday titled the lectures "The Chemical History of a Candle," choosing the subject because, as he explained, "There is not a law under which any part of this universe is governed which does not come into play and is not touched upon [during the time a candle burns]."

That statement is the foundation for a book that describes, with great clarity, the components, function and weight of the atmosphere; the function of a candle wick; capillary attraction; the carbon content in oxygen and living bodies; the production of carbon dioxide from coal gas and sugar; the properties of carbonic acid; respiration and its analogy to the burning of a candle; and much more. There is also a chapter comprising Faraday's "Lecture on Platinum."

A useful classroom teaching tool, this classic text will also appeal to a wide audience interested in scientific inquiry.

Reprint of A Course of Six Lectures on the Chemical History of a Candle, Chautauqua Press, New York, n.d.

迈克尔法拉第 (Michael Faraday, 1791~1867)，十九世纪英国科学家，他所成长的十九世纪初正是自然学开始萌芽之时。法拉第对科学教育、科学普及非常重视，他的重要贡献如发现电磁感应（法拉第定律），及在电化学（电解）、静电学（法拉第笼）、磁光学（法拉第效应）等，并合成许多重要化学用品，如苯、液化气体……等。英国人将法拉第看为实验科学的开山祖师，以法拉第为名的机构与会议常年不断的进行。