Vol. 56
BOOK REVIEW Phase Transformations in SoIids. Edited by R. SMOLUCHOWSKI, Chairman, with J. E. MAYER and W. A. WEYL. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N. Y . x 660 pp. Price, $9.50. This monograph contains the apers and some of the discussions from a symposium on t i e general subject of phase
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changes which was held in August, 1948. The sym osium itself was the outgrowth of an effort initiated by tge National Research Council, with the purpose of bringing together a group of s ecialists to “focus attention on significant basic problems of t f e solid state and thus lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the field.” The task of preparing the papers and discussions for publication. has been ably done by the editors noted above. The seventeen papers fall in three groups, each paper being a complete and inde endent unit. The first section of the book is devoted to t f e mathematical theory of phase transitions, including diffusion and crystal growth, with papers by Tisza, J. E. Mayer, Kirkwood, Seitz, Smoluchowski and Buerger. The authors have presented divergent and sometimes conflicting idcas, but the reader, even though he is not working in the field, is sure to receive stimulation from following these efforts to develop a quantitative theory in a science which is so new, and for which modern experimental resources are now furnishing such an abundance of previously unavailable information. The second section deals with transitions in nonmetallic s,ystems. 0. K. Rice has a paper on the solid-liquid transition in argon, which represents an attempt to understand the process of melting. M. L.Huggins discusses the factors involved in t,ransitions of the silvcr halides. Silicates and glasses are treated in three papers by Kracek, Schairer and Weyl, in which the rates and types of transitions are correlated with such things as order-disorder phenomena, the forces between different types of ions, and relative mobilities of different ionic species with respect to the structural network. The section is concluded by a brief paper on the new subject, of ferroelectrics by Matthias. The h a 1 section of the book is given over to papers on transitions in metals. C. S. Barrett’s paper covers pure metals with particular respect to the theories of transformations normally called martensitic. Much new light in the field is being obtained by study of low-temperature crystallographic changes in lithium. Siege1 has a chapter on orderdisorder transitions in metal alloys. The paper on precipitation from solid solutions of metals, by A. H. Geisler, is a monograph in itself, consisting of 58 pages, profusely illustrated and having a bibliography of 830 titles. A valuable feature of the bibliography is a separate classification of the references by alloys and by subjects. Mehl and Dub6 havc a chapter on the eutectoid reaction, with special consideration of the factors entering into the mechanism and kinetics of the rocese. The final chapter by Morris Cohen discusses t i e martensite transformation and develops the thesis that i t is the process of the transformation, rather than thc specific product, which is the distinctive feature of thc problem.
Throughout the book, t,here are excellent photographs and diagrams in abundance. I n fact, one cannot but be impressed with the wealth of factual detail included. Each chapter has a good bibliography, but there is no index. The editors point out that the book is designed for specialists: this is quite apparent, es cially in the earlier cha ters. For workers in the general fie% of solids, the book wi!l undoubtedly be of inestimable value as a source of ideas and reference to current research. It would be a pity, however, if the book were read only by specialists. Some years ago we rather naively regarded a cr stal as an epitome of order, as contrasted with gases and $quids. Recent years have produced the idea of disorder, with its profound significance for the properties and transformations of solids. One now attempts to develop general theories for the solid state by kinetics and thermodynamics based upon statistical considerations. This book reveals how much remains to be done in obtaining a unified and comprehensive grasp ofethe field. The reader gains the clear impression that he is watching the birth of a new science, with new theoretical approaches and experimental techniques that were not accessible until a decade or so ago. The members of the symposium and the editors are to be congratulated on roducing a work that is such a mine of information. I t wilfundoubtedlv be a continuing source of stimulation for all who have problems involving the solid state. DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY KINGCOLLEGE G. H. CARTLEDGE BRISTOL,TENNESSEE
BOOKS RECEIVED To December 28, 1951 H. J. DEUEL,JR. “The Lipids.” Interscience Publishers,
Inc., New York. 1951. 982pp. $18.50. ROBERTA. FRIEDEL A N D MILTONORCHIN. “Ultraviolet Spectra of Aromatic Compounda.” John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Avenue, New York 16. 1951. 52 pp. $10.00. R. N. HASZEL:;NEAND .4.G. SHARPE. “Fluorine and It# Compounds. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Avenue, New York 16. 1951. 153 pp. $1.75. HUGHS. TAYLOR A N D SAMUEL GLASSTOYE.“A Treatise on Physical Chemistry.” D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York. 1951. 701 pp. $12.00. D. S. VILLARS. “Statistical Design ,and Analysis of Experiments for Development Research. Wm. C. Brown Co., Dubuque, Iowa. 1951. 455 pp. $6.50. D. W. WOOLLEY. “A Study of Antimetabolites.” John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Avenue, New York 16. 1952. 269 pp. $5.00.
