Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-178) and index.

Machine generated contents note: 1.The Scandium Group -- The Astrophysics of Scandium and Yttrium -- Discovery and Naming of Scandium and Yttrium -- The Chemistry of Scandium and Yttrium -- The Rare Earth Connection -- Scandium and Espionage -- Scandium Strengthens Aluminum Alloys -- Technology and Current Uses of the Scandium Group -- 2.The Titanium and Vanadium Groups -- The Astrophysics of the Titanium Group: Ti, Zr, Hf -- Discovery and Naming of Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium -- The Chemistry of the Titanium Group -- Titanium in the Aerospace Industry -- Zirconium in Aluminum Alloys -- Hafnium Can Replace Silicon in Transistors -- Technology and Current Uses of the Titanium Group -- The Astrophysics of the Vanadium Group: V, Nb, Ta -- Discovery and Naming of Vanadium, Niobium, and Tantalum -- The Chemistry of the Vanadium Group -- Reducing the Size of Particle Accelerators -- Triniobium Tin in Superconducting Magnets -- Technology and Current Uses of the Vanadium Group -- 3.The Chromium and Manganese Groups -- The Astrophysics of the Chromium Group: Cr, Mo, W -- Discovery and Naming of Chromium, Molybdenum, and Tungsten -- The Geology of the Chromium Group -- The Chemistry of the Chromium Group -- Chromium and the Magnetism of Stainless Steel -- Tungsten's Use in Munitions -- Discovering the Hazards of Chromium in Drinking Water -- Technology and Current Uses of the Chromium Group -- The Astrophysics of the Manganese Group: Mn, Tc, Re -- Discovery and Naming of Manganese, Technetium, and Rhenium -- The Chemistry of the Manganese Group -- Technology and Current Uses of the Manganese Group -- 4.The Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel Groups -- The Astrophysics of Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel -- Discovery and Naming of Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel -- The Iron Age -- The Chemistry of Iron -- The Chemistry of Cobalt -- Cobalt: The Distinctive Blue -- The Chemistry of Nickel -- Technology and Current Uses of Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel -- The Platinum Metals -- The Astrophysics of the Platinum Metals: Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt -- Discovery and Naming of the Platinum Metals -- The Chemistry of the Platinum Metals -- Technology and Current Uses of the Platinum Metals -- Palladium and Cold Fusion -- 5.The Copper Group -- The Astrophysics of the Copper Group: Cu, Ag, Au -- A History of Coinage -- The Chemistry of Copper -- The Chemistry of Silver -- The Chemistry of Gold -- The Rush for Gold -- Hard-Rock Mining: The Environmental Costs -- Technology and Current Uses of Copper -- Technology and Current Uses of Silver -- Technology and Current Uses of Gold -- 6.The Zinc Group -- The Astrophysics of the Zinc Group: Zn, Cd, Hg -- Discovery and Naming of Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury -- A Famed Mythology -- The Chemistry of Zinc -- The Chemistry of Cadmium -- The Chemistry of Mercury -- Environmental Mercury Risks -- Technology and Current Uses of Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury -- 7.Conclusions and Future Directions -- Speculations on Further Developments -- New Physics -- New Chemistry.