book reviews electrode kinetics, the book touches upon fuel cells, vibrational and rotational energy levels, molecular and dielectric relaxation, diffusion and random walk, the Morse potential, and the Beer-Lamhert law, heterogeneous catalysis, the Schroedinger equation (!) as well as commentary and questions an practical engineering and economics (including environmental implications). Generally, the book uses a questianand-answer format t o apply reasonable physics and mathematics to some less familiar present in the domain of electrochemical science, and i t does it very well. Since a reviewer must always find a mistake, the authors have retained a prwf-reading error in appendix 1 for the mass of the electron. E. Miller Layton. Jr. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa. 50010
strong acid and strong base (and silver and chloride ions by analogy), one with any mixture of a weak acid plus its conjugate hase, illustrating iterations, and one for linear least squares. A Project section purports t o apply equilibrium calculations to a model d a natural water system, considered merely as strong acid added to a bicarbonate buffer. Overall, it is the opinion of this reviewer that computer programming is more effectively taught without such full integration with the chemistry on a page-by-page hasis. However, it is certainly worthwhile to see an introduction to programming which is hasedon chemical systems. R. W. Rarnette Carleton Co//ege Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Absorption of Light and Ultraviolet Radiation: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Emission
George H.Schenk, Wayne State University. Allyn and Bacon, Inc., Boston, 1973. xii 312 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X 14 cm. $6.50.
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BASIC Equilibrium Calculations ('uc,pc,r H Long/-(r.rd Carleton Lnivrrsir y , Addijon-Weslev Publishing Cu , Reading, Mas,.. 1973. xiii + 76 pp. Figs.
and tables. 28 X 21.5 em. $2.95 The author attempts t o do three tasks simultaneously in this discussion of (a) chemical principles of simple equilibrium systems, (b) mathematical principles of the strategy of calculations, and (c) programming principles based on the Basic language. Such an integrated approach has some intrinsic merit, but there is a risk that the student will he confused by the continuous change of hats required. The algebraic approach is to find n equations for the n unknowns, using the equilibrium constant expressions, the electroneutrality rule, and the material halance expression, and to combine these in ways which lead to high-order equations which can be solved by computer iteration. The chemical systems include strong acids and bases, weak acids plus their conjugate bases, and silver chloride, the latter without reference to chlaro-complexes. There is a certain deliberate perversity (the author's word) in symbolism. For example, in contrast with custom, zero is written 0 and the alphabetical letter is written 0.When an equal sign is used for a mathematical equality it is placed in quotes, "=," whereas the equal sign in Basic statement, where i t does not denote equality hut rather "replace w i t h is used without quotes. However, this distinction is frequently not followed in the text. In specifying subscripts for acid and base, the authors say in a footnote, "We might have made things easier to remember by calling "1" the acid and "2" the hase since A comes before B. But, the reue7.w choice is meant to help you remember that C2 does not equal A!" The text includes three Basic programs whieh serve well for discussion of prineiples. One deals with any mixture of a A454
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Journal of Chemical Education
In contrast to the title's suggestion, this book has a distinct hiss toward photoluminescence. The last five of the seven chapters introduce the reader t o the phenomena of fluorescence and phosphorescence in organic and inorganic systems and carry him through analytical applications and instrumentation. The first two chapters concern absorption processes, but one senses throughout that they exist to serve the exposition on luminescence, because they include no discussion of instruments or applications and almost none on traditional topics such as the WoodwardFieser rules. The hook is cast toward readers who have had no first course in physical chemistry but who do have a n elementary knowledge of molecular orbital theory. Given the rather marked slant toward the analytical utility of luminescence, the potential market is mainly sophomares and juniors enrolled in analytical chemistry courses. Presenting this material on the chosen level is a very difficult job, and Professor Schenk has made a novel and ambitious effort. Thus i t is unfortunate that serious breaks mterrupt the logrcal flou from t m e u, ttme Two of several example, mclude an examination of the relation hetween fluorescence yield and the radiative and intrinsic lifetimes without construction of the kinetic framework whieh gives the relation meaning, and a treatment of the kinetics of intersystem crossing and bimolecular quenching which arises almost 30 pages before these processes are even defined. A more serious objection concerns the order in which the author examines the absorption spectroscopy of organic molecules and complex ions. The pedagogical choice to discuss the latter first is based on his desire to present the d' T i I H 2 0 ) ~ + ion 3 as an initial example featuring no complications from spin permutations. The advantage is gained only to be lost in the intricacies of complex ion spectroscopy. The reader is whisked rapidly through sketchy discussions of crystal
fields, spin pairing rules, strong and weak field complexes, and charge-transfer absorptions. Professor Schenk must ultimately treat the spin perturbations in any event, and it certainly seems to this reviewer that he might have started better with the simpler spectroscopy of the organic species. Some annoyance also arises from factual and typographical errors, inconsistencies in usage of numerical values and dimensions, and imprecise exposition, especially with regard t o derivations. Each of these categories seems to contain an abnormally large number of members, but the transgressions are rarely fatal t o a presentation. The most seriously compromised discussion pertains t o the Franck-Condon principle. This essential precept is never eaplained cogently, and one finds its elements and consequences scattered throughout the text and Appendix E. Despite these shortcomings, the book has several positive points. Among the basic aspects, one can cite excellent attention t o the significance of the dual nature of light for absorption spectroscopy and t o the factors affecting transition pmhabilities. The subleties involved in characterizing excited states of carbanyl compounds are esoeciallv well illuminated. The book disnlavs its best form in its eoveraee of an~~,~ al>.tical tupics such 2, rhe implicnrions of inrensity-concentrath relarwnships fur luminescence. Details of measurement receive competent treatment in sections which rather heavily emphasize filter-oriented instruments. Each chapter closes with numerous original problems, many of whieh are based an recent literature. They vary substantially in quality, but some very good ones are available. The comments above will support this reviewer's opinion that instructors and students working on a level above the first physical chemistry course will not find this text a satisfying introduction to luminescence. Below that level it could be useful, and any instructor in such a circumstance who wishes to cover the subject in some detail ought toexamine it.
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Larry R. Faulkner Department ofChemistry University 01 Illinois Urbana. 67801
Organic Chemistry of Life. Readings from Scientific American With introduction by Melvin Caluin, University of California, Berkeley, and William A. Pryor, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. W. H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco, California, 1973. xii + 452 pp. Figs. and tables. 22 x 29 cm. Cloth $12.M); paper $6.95. Thirty-eight articles are reprinted, collected under the headings: Biological Regulators (15 pages), Macromolecular Architecture (13 pages). Cellular Architecture ( 3 pages), and Chemical Biodynamics. This is a successor to the previous collection "Bio-Organic Chemistry." Additional bibliographies and a good index are supplied. WFK
