VOL.5, NO. 9
RECENT BOOKS
prises only 10 pages of the text, yet it takes up in addition t o a general discussion of the value of theories and their limitstions, the molecular and atomic theories, including molecular and atomic weights, chemical and physical change, radicals, structural formulas, crystal structure, and the phlogiston theory. I t is therefore not surprising that the theoretical matter in general fails t o become an integral part of the text; thus, there is one chapter on ionization but thereafter one finds practically no mention of ions, no ionic equations, no interpretations of reactions on the hasis of the theory of ionization. Such a treatment of general chemistry makes necessary the explicit description of many facts which ought to be implied, were the student trained to apply the principles of chemistry to the behavior of simple substances. The use of the electrochemical series as a guide in the organization of the material seems to have led aconsiderable amount of difficulty, for this order is not followed
When another is substituted, the groups of qualitative analysis are used instead of the families of the periodic system. This seems unfortunate to the reviewer because it emphasizes relations based on the solubility of a few selected compounds and neglects the more fundamental relationships of chemistry. Also, the use of the electrochemical series has here resulted in an overemphasis of the polar concept of valence; that there is a marked difference between polar and nonpolar compounds is nowhere brought out. There have crept into the book, which contains so much excellent descriptive material, a number of inaccurate statements. For instance, oxygen is called the most negative and fluorine the most energetic element; energy is defined as the power of a substance t o cause change; the increase of reaction velocity with rise of temperature is explained solely on the ground of increased Emetic energy of the molecules. I n many respects also the interpretations of phenomena have not been brought up to date; the newer views con-
1201
cerning degree of ionization are not mentioned, the equilibrium constant is illustrated by a reaction involving strong electrolytes without considering their dissociation, the old method of partial equations, which in one case involves six steps, is used throughout for balancing reactions of oxidation and reduction. The hook is well set up, with large type that makes for easy reading and is remarkably free from typographical errors. H. I. SCHLE~INGER A, introduction
to ~~~~~~l chemistry,
WELUM M A , , ~ N B~ANCHARD, ~
~ ~ day, Doran and Company, Inc., Garden city, p~~~ york, 1928. vi + 588 pp, 11 illustrations, Xcharts, 9Ofigures. 21 x 14 cm, 83.00, The book is attractively but only fairly well bound. The page type is 10 on 12 Century and is very easy an the eyes. The paper is of a good quality; however, ink "runs" slightly on it. The impress is excellent as there are but few instances of broken type. The volume is also almost entirely free from typographical errors. There is no statement in the book as t o whether or not i t is intended alike for those who have and those who have not studied chemistry in the high school. Although this is the first edition, the author has had previous experience in the preparation of a chemistry tent, In addition, be is an experienced and sympathetic teacher and his latest product has carrespondingly profited therefrom. The fact that the manuscript was read by Professors R. A, Baker, Louis T ~ and ~ p,~B, wade , is also prophetic. Professar frankly admits that he consciously Used the difficulties encountemd by the average college student in the study of chemistry as his guide,, He taken
special pains tohelp the student over such troubles as the oxygen ~ " of d the ~ nalogens, the ~eriodicsystem-oxidation and R e d u d i o n a n d the Colloidal S t a t e t h e aimhasbeentointerweavethemyand p r a c tice so that the student mayunderstand the meaning of chemistry." The book has the
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human touch as is well evidenced in several places (e. g., see p. 395 onlithium salts; also p. 241 onozone). I n theearly chapters, hefore the author is ready t o give the chemical details of certain methods involved, he prevents the student having heart failure by the use of "a suitable method." Appropriate employment is made of editorial "we" which is more likely to cause the student to feel that he is really having a rBle in the course. The student's interest is of a necessity aroused by (p. 192) "We must now resume our study of the elements and their more important compounds. I n what order shall we take them?" and (p. 51) "But how can we find this (atomic weights) out?" The presentation and frequent utilizations of "solubility product" are deserving of commendation. The 374 questions and problems will require quite a little cogitation on the part of the user. Although certain chapters, such as the ones on formulas, equation writing, valence, and atomic theory, are introduced earlier than in some texts, their presentation is done in such an unostentatious manner that the student is not likely to be frightened. The material on radium and radioactivity is properly a part of the study of the atom and the periodic law. The absence of a definition or discussion of such terns as allotropes, peroxide strutt u x , amphoteres, and condensed acids may he meritorious. CSz is named "carbon hisulfide" and BaOe, "barium dioxide (peroxide)." The treatment of valence (p. 74-5) is inadequate. The writer is not in sympathy with the author's use of =, +and in equation writing, believing that the former should he in the discard. I t is to be regretted that the effortsof the American Chemical Society are not supported in the spelling of sulfur, aluminum, pipet, and buret. The distinction between "charts" and "figures" is inconvenient to the reader. An appendix of certain physico-chemical tables, particularly of atomic weights, would not be unwelcome. The book is worthy of better executed drawings. The eleven illustra-
tions of chemists are extraordinarily good and suitable for framing. A few cuts showing the commercial side of chemistry would he worthwhile. Some of the descriptive material should he in smaller type. The author has been fairly successful in avoiding a compendium. Despite the above shortcomings, the hook as a whole compares favorably with the better known first-course texts of chemistry. J. E.DAY Atomshuktur und Atombindung. J. STARK. o. Universitat professor fur Physik. Polytechnische Buchhandlung, A. Seydel, Berlin, 1928. First edition. xx f 198pp. 16 cuts. 14 X 22cm. Rm. 9. This hook presents an exposition of a very comprehensive theory, developed by the author, concerning the structure of atoms and the linking of atoms in molecules. Many will feel much in sympathy with his assumption of a static atom that is static in that the central points of the electrons have fined positions. Few will find fault with his claim that the atom possesses an axis, in fact, not only the atom but each electron and proton (archion). He finds i t unnecessary to postulate an ether hut he does surround electrons and protons with electrostatic and electromagnetic fields and endows them with "inner kinetic energy." As a resultant of the electromagnetic, electrostatic, and inner kinetic forces, certain discrete equilibrium positions result. If only slightly disturbed, the electron returns t o its equilibrium position hut with a great enough disturbance it may fall to another equilibrium position, the energy difference between these positions heing disposed of quite in accord with the quantum theory. The electrons are built up in layers around the nucleus in a fairly conventional fashion except that the layers possess certain eccentricities peculiar t o this theory. The eledrons of the outermost layer constitute the valence electrons. The nucleus is built, much in the same
