BOOK REVIEWS I n the words of the circus pitchman, the editors have performed a n asbounding feat in assembling the most remarkable array of polarographic talent and experience ever to grace n single work. No student, teacher, or worker in the fidd rill fail t o p u t a t least several chapters on his "must" reading list. The volumes are indeed a. notable tribute t o Jxroslev Heyravek* on his seventieth birthday. One can only look forward with antiripation t o the eightieth birthday volumes.
W. H. REINMUTX Coltrmhia Gniversilu
Argon, Helium and the Rlrre Garer: The Elements of the Helium Group. Volume 1, History Occurrence and Properties
Edited hy Gerhavd . I . Cook, Linde Co., Tonawanda, New Ynrk. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1061. xxii 4 2 i p p . Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $17.50.
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Volume I of this two-volume s r r i ~ s presents a really complete report on the history, occurrence, and physical and chemical properties of helium, argon, neon, krypt,on, xenon, and radon by a group of well-qualified experts. Chapter I, by Gerherd A. Cook, gives an introduction and general survey nn t,hr present status and future of these gases, symbols and atomic weights, including t h e new b a i s of G I 2 equal t o 12 (exactlv), a table of isotopic atom masses, and & ta& diameters. Chapter 11, by Robert J. Havlik, gives m interesting record of t,hn early work on air, the discoveries of He, Ar, Ne, ICr, Xe, and Rn, and their produetion and use. Chapter 111, by Cook, givcs the occurrence and origin of these dements and the use of He and Ar in the determination of the ages of rocks. Chapter IV, hg Edgar F. Westrum, Jr., and Jean Michel Planeis, givcs a. ec~mpleted o r y on tho nuclear structure and nuclear rexctions. Chapter V, hy Walter F. Edgell, covers in detail the atomic structure and spectra. Chapter VI, by Cook, reports t,he chemical properties, including tho formation of diatomic molecules and ions, clathratcs with water, hydrquinanr, phenol, and other substances, and compounds with metals. Chapt,er VII, b,v Arthur C. .Jenkins and Cook., denls with gas phase properties, including si,lnhility in liquids, thermal conductivity, viscosity, diffusion, and electrical, magnrtic, and opticnl properties. Chapter I by James A. Brattie, givcs an excellent repart on the volumetric behavior and t h ~ r m o dynamic properties of the pas phage, including compressibility, critical constants, gas thermometry, and general thermodynamic properbies. Chapter IX, by A. C. Hollis Hsllett, givcs a c r ~ n plete report on the physical and thermodynamic properties for the solid and liquid states. Chapter X, by Jenkins, gives s. summary of the physical and thermodynamic properties. ~~~~
(Continued on page A918)
BOOK REVIEWS The material in this buak will serve hotlr experts and nun-experts. For the experts, there are presented tahles of carefully selected data and up-trrdate rcfcrences t o the literature on these substmces. The non-experts will find excellent background material leading t u a better undrrstanding of the detailed facts presented, appropriatc cxplanat,iuns, and h~lpR11lists of delinit,ions of symhds, terms, and sbhreviations. Each chaptcr 0s pruvided with a list of pertinent refernnces t o the literitture. The editor and authnra ere t o he complimented on having produced an excellent work.
FEEDERICK D. ROSSINI University o j N d r e Dame Notre Dame, Indiana
Investigations in Chemistry; A Text for t h e General Chemistry Laboratory
Jay E. Taulor and Georqe L. Bush, both of Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, and John R . Demfdh, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Burgess Puhlishing Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1961. iv 241 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X2i.5 em. Pzperbuund. 54.25.
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The authurs of this book aimed: 1, "to stress much more strongly underlying scientific principles," 2, "to emphssim the investigative approach to chemistry," and 3, "to develop certain hesic disciplines": a, "a sharpening of ohservatory powers," b, "s mastery of basic techniques," and c, "an acqnaintsnce with and respect iar the chemicals and equipment in the laboratory." I t appears t o this reviewer t h a t they were particularly successful in achieving 2 and 3a with some success in the others. The five sections
of the manual provide a good sampling of the topics of general chemistry as did their earlier hook "Chemistry in the Lab* ratory." Section I, "Basic Techniques and Investigations," includes convention$ work on techniques, changes in matter, oxygen, acids and hases, and the metal activity series. Section 11, "Quantitative Techniques and Investigations," afi'ers unusual, simple equipment for gas law work, a good npproach t o evaluation of and testing of possible improvements in experimental procedures fur s Cu-S compound formula. determination, and determining a n equivalent weight by hydrogen reduction of a n oxide. hlore cunvcntir,nsl experiments on combining weights, water of hydration, titration, density, and gravimetric dotnrmination of sulfate are also inelutlcd. Iletails of volumetric work are too sketchily descrihrd t o develop good technique. Section 111. "Advanced T o ~ i c s and ,
gative approach," e.g., n study of halogens that demands partieularlv careful ohservstion and interpretation, an invosbigation of the gaseous productti of nitric acid reacting with m ~ t a l s ,n study of the suluhility p n d u c t equilibrium of KHC& a study of seven functional groups in organic compounds, preparation nf salts, ruld a n opewended study of sulfur. Section IV gives general suggcst,iuns for s special project and Section V is on qualitative analysis. A regulsr cation scheme for 26 ions is oH~red. The final experiment is to develop n "on-hydrogen sulfide cation scheme. Throughout the manual the need of careful and comolete records is stressed. given for data recording is inadequrrtt t o insure neat, efficient records; some rrf the directians seem t o imply making preliminary notations of data to he reorgmiaed and put in the permanent record l a t ~ r ; some report sheets ohscurn the distinction that should be made hetween ubsrrvstians and their interpretation. A teacher who is not inhibited by past practices and s c c e p t ~ dusages surely will be stimulated by this book t o extend its investigative n p p n m h t o areas of chemistry i t d o e not cover. Its utility is .enhanced by an instructor's manual.
\I'ARREX A. MCMULLEN Greenui!le CoIIege Greenville, Illinoi8
Atomic Spectra
H. G. Kahn, Oxford University, England. Academic Press, Inc., Ken, York, 1062. m i 436 pp. Figs. n r d tables. 15.5 X 23 em. 513.
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This book is designed as an up-twlste introduction t o the nature and interpretatian of atomic spectra. I t is nut primarily an expusition of mzthelnatical theory, but rather a discussion of the types of spectre, observed, giving enough
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Journal o f Chemical Education
