book reviews
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troscoov, and chromatoera~hv . . . are taken UD in the 23 pages that ronst~tuteChaptrr 33. After a b r ~ r tintrudurtwn 10 the electromagnetic spectrum and s m w of the terniinology associated with spectrometry (e.g., molar extinction coefficient), a survey of infrared spectroscopy la preirnwd, uith only a relatively brief discussum heing riven ro thr ultra\,iulrt-vls~hlerancr. Fullowine - thr d m cussion of the infrared, in which correlations between functional groups and absorption frequency are emphasized, a summary of nuclear magnetic resonance is presented which includes a discussion of the significance of the number, position, and intensity of nmr peaks, as well as the manifestations of spinspin coupling. Electron paramagnetic resonance. mass soectrometrv. eas ohase chronmography, a'nd Inquid pha.~rrhnmnt~,,craphg are mt.ntioned in a paragraphdevoted to each. These new chapters appear in bath of the available versions of the text. "College Chemistry" and "General Chemistry" are, in fact, identical through Chapter 33. Subsequent chapters (34-36) in "College Chemistry" deal with the ehemistry of the metals in the context of qualitative analysis, and are intended for use in courses in which this topic is integrated with general chemistry. "General Chemistry" presents the chemistry of the metals according to periodic groups (Chapters 34-42). Other changes whieh mark the Fifth edition include the reorganization of certain chapters for the purpose of unifying concepts and their applications. For example, the chapters on ionic equilibria of weak electroIytrs, and aoluhiliry product, are n~ intn,d u c d immedlntely after c hemival equilihrium. Thw I-.in contrast tothe F w r t h edition in which the latter topic preceded the others bv 12 chaoters. The chanter on "Acids. Bases.
combined into one chapter, rather than two as had been the case previously. The chapter on "Colloids" has heen eliminated, with an abbreviated discussion of this subject appearing in the chapter on "Solutions of Electrolytes." An important addition to the supplemental material which accompanies the text is "Problems and Solutions for General and College Chemistry," by John H. Meiser, F. Keith Auk, and Henry F. Holtzclaw, Jr. This manual includes worked-out solutions for approximately 30% of the prohlems which appear in the text. Other offerings in the package include a study guide for the student, and an instructor's guide, both by Norman E. Griswold, and "Basic Laboratory Studies in College Chemistry," Fifth Edition, by Grace Hered, William H. Nebergall, and William Hered. One of the strong features of this text is the extensive collection of exercises provided for the student. Over 1000 questions and 600 problems requiring numerical solutions are included (78 problems appear in the chapter A386 / Journal of ChemicalEducation
on ionic equilibria ofweak electrolytes alone). Answers are provided in the text for all numerical problems. The level of the problems issimilar to that found in the Fourth edition, and will provide good experience for the student who attempts them. The fact that "College Chemistry" has appeared in four earlier editions is indicative of the appeal of this text. The Fifth edition should also appeal to those who seek a good, substantial text for general chemistry. The current edition will be easily recognized by its unique cover illustration, which must he a "first" of some sort for general chemistry textbook covers. T. Cassen University of Nonh Carolina at Charlone Chsrloite, Nonh Carolina 26223
Problem Solving for Chemistry Edward I. Peters, West Valley College. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1976. xiii 326 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 25cm. $6.
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"Problem Solving for Chemistry" is an auto-tutorial text for general chemistry students, and it uses the dimensional analysis or unit conversion or factor-label problem solving approach. The objectives of Dr. Peter's text are to show the student how to solve ehemistry problems and t o help the student understand the method used without the assistance of the teacher. These two objectives can he readily accomplished with this text. The book is broken up into 17 chapters, an appendix, and an index. Chapter 1is a needed chapter exploring and demonstrating the dimensional analysis problem solving approach. The other 16 chapters cover all the major areas of chemistry with the exception of nuclear chemistry and chemical kinetics. These 17 chapters all have numerous prohlems with detailed worked out solutions below each problem. Also, a t the end of each chapter is a separate problem set, and both the answers and solutions are given for onehalf of these problems. The appendix contains a mathematical review reaction, and numerous tables as well as the solutions to ane-half of the end ofthe chapter problems. A section on significant figures is included in Chapter 2, hut it should have been placed a t the beginning of the chapter or in Chapter 1 in order to emphasize it more. The second edition differs from the first in that a nan-calculus introduction t o thermodynamics has been added before the equilibrium and redax chapters; more problems witheompletesalutions-notjustanswershave been added; oxidation potentials were replaced with reduction potentials; a section on sienifieant fieures was added: and the SI system IS emph;ts~zrd Overall, thii i i an cucrllrnt problem mlwng text for general cherni,try studrntr and 11 is very highly recommended as a supplemental workbook by the reviewer. Its only serious drawback is the lack of ~ r o b l e m sin the nuclear ehemistry and -chemical kinetics areas. Jeffrey A. Hurlbut Metropoiitan State College Denver. Colorado 80204
Physlcal Sclence with Modern Applications Meluin Merken, Worcester State College. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1976. xv 699 pp. Figs. and tables. 18.5 X 27 cm. $15.95, hardcover.
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The main emphasis of the text centers on ohvsics. This oart 1 rate as verv. eood. The . .. topigs f d o u in a loglrsl manner, incorporaring astroaon)y inru physic> very neatly. The chemi4ry purtiun tends ro be a little weaker, not covering such topics as the gaseous state and buffers. However, what is covered is clear and readable. Geology which is covered in one chapter, is simply an overview, but sufficient. Sample problems throughout the text are worked out in a step by step fashion and the explanations are clear. The strong point of the hook, though, I feel, is the use of the visual illustrations, which I rate as excellent-they bring points home. The writing style flows easy, and, coupled with the printing format (too much or crowded orintine scares the nonscience student,, lradc to very goud readability. Theonly ncgatwe pnrt that I hnvr fnund is the hook'^^ lenz~hw r s u s content From my experience, the average nonscience student will he able to thoroughly cover only about 400-450 pages during the year. Hence, 1 feel that chapters 1-14, plus chapters 23 and 24 would require two semesters for adequate coverage for the nonscience major, thus leaving the ehemistry and geology sections out in the cold. Any faster pace would lead to superficial coverage or topics being left out. However, I just do not know what the author could do about shortening the book and still give adequate topic coverage. All in all, I like the book, and if used, I would probably resort to skipping selected topics, rather than watering down.
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John W. Alcock Depanment of Chemistry and Physical Science, Quinnipiac College. Hamden. Connecficut 065 18
Biochemistry. 2nd Edition Albert L. Lehninger, The Johns Hopkins
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llniversitv. -~~~ , School of Medicine. Worth Publishers, Inc., New Yark, 1975. xxiii 1104 pp. Figs. and tables. 28.5 X 20 cm. $22.95. ~~~~
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With its appearance in 1970, the first edition of this book set a standard of excellence in the field of general biochemistry textbooks. It seems likelv that the second edition will w & n thi. distinrriun. The overall organ,mlion remuills the SamP: the four parts :me: mdrculnr compcments, catabulism and the generation of metabolic energy, hiosynthesis and the utilization of energy, and the molecular basis of information transfer. The strengths of this book remain largely the ones oointed out bv Sable in his review I l i t t s J w ~ r n a l \'
