Fundamentals of Chemistry, wlth Qualltatlve Analysis, Thlrd Edltlon James E. Brady and John R. Holum. Wiiey: New York, NY. 1988. xvi 1112pp. Figs. and tables. 21.8 X 26 cm. $51.50.
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This popular general chemistry textbook, which is in its third edition since its initial publication in 1981, skillfully integrates theory, problem solving, and descriptive material. Descriptive chemistry has been introduced earlier and appears more often than in the previous edition. There are 24 chapters in the text, of which only three are purely descriptive chemistry. The number of special topics sections, which examines areas of high student interest, has been increased to 52. The five tests and concepts sections giving an overall review of groups of related chapters are new to this edition. The dramatic use of color in photographs and print highlights many of the important concepts, illustrations, and experiments. Marginalcomments help to reinforce the suhject matter on each page, and the more important equations are boxed in red print. The problems s t the end of each chapter are a good assortment in both suhject matter and difficulty. Answers to selected problems appear in the appendix of the textbook. Within the chapters are many solved illustrations of problems, which should prove helpful to students. Some of the major changes from the previous edition should be noted. A new descriptive chapter (Chapter 2) on the periodic table has been added, which includes information from Chapter 5 of the second edition. The order of topics in Chapter 10 (Liquids, Solids, and Changes of State) has been slightly modified to introduce the discussion of intermolecular forces near thebeg ~ n n ~ nofgthe chapter. Chapter I I has been remrrten wrth ernphas~son the correlation
between acid strengths and the periodic table: a new section on metal complexes has also been added. In Chapter 13, the authors have included new sections on the energetics of solution formation. The reordering of Chapters 14 through 18 gives the following sequence: Chemical Equilibrium, AcidBase Equilibria, Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, and Rates of Reaction, respectively. There is also an increase in descriptive chemistry in Chapters 19 through 22, which is used effectively in applications. Chapter 23 (Nuclear Reactions and Their Role in Chemistry) contains a more sophisticated treatment of radioactivity and the problems encountered in nuclear fusion research. Current topics such as the Chernoby1 explosion in Russia and recent developments in superconductivity are incorporated in this edition. Included with this edition are a solutions manual, study guide, teachers manual, transparencies, test bank (hard copy or microtest), and anew video package. Thevideo package contains a range of 2- to 3-minute video lecture demonstrations. There are certain alterations that might have improved this textbook further. It would have heen useful to expand the illustration of the electromagnetic spectrum (Chapter 6) to include wavelengths as well as frequencies of radiation. I would also prefer to have gas laws introduced earlier than Chapter 9 in order to coordinate better with laboratory experimentation on this subject, which is generally covered early in the laboratory portion of the course. It is puzzling that the authors altered the placement of the chapter on kinetics. I believe it would he more logical for it to precede the chapter on chemical equilibrium. Finally, the section on carbohydrates might hest immediately follow the section on carhoxylic acid derivatives in Chapter 24. I would emphasize that the suggestions
for improvement are relatively minor and should not be misconstrued to give a negative impression of the overall text. This is certainly a book that should be carefully examined by instructors of general chemistry. Don B. Weser Frostburg State University Frostburg. MD 21532
Chemical Actlvltles ChristieL. Borgfordand Lee R. Summerlin. American Chemical Society: Washington. DC. 1988. xii 330 pp. illustrations. Spiraibound paperback. 21.2 X 27.8 cm. Teacher Edition $19.95 US, $23.95 F: Student Edition $12.95 US. $15.95 F.
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Available inboth teacher and student editions, this spiralbound sourcebook was prepared in response to the many requests that the authors received from science teachers for "safe chemical activities that are motivating, simple, inexpensive, appropriate, relevant, safe, and fun". It contains 105 chemical activities (experiments) intended to provide practical, hands-on experience for junior high and high school students and to help them develop skills in predicting, collecting, and organizing data, identifying and controlling variables, and searching for reeularities and relationshim. It should also provide students with practice in manipulative rkills such as filtering, titrating, and drstilling. Furthermore, the authors hope that the experiments will be extended into home experiments, demonstrations, small group projects, and science fair and science club activities.
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--Reviewed In This Issue Reviewer
James A. Brady and John R. Holum, Fundamentals of Chemistry, wlth Qualitative Analysis, Third Edition Christie L. Borgfordand Lee R. Summerlin, Chemical Activities Alson Kelly, editor, Science for Girls Robert L. Weber, editor. Droll Science: Being a Treasury of Whimsical Characters, Laboratory Levity, and Scholarly Follies Howard M. Kanare, Writing the Labortory Notebook George 0.Tselos and Coleen Wickey, A Guide to Archives and Manuscript Collections in the History of Chemistry and Chemical Technology Howard H. Fawcett, editor, Hazardous and Toxic MaterialsSafe Handling and Disposal. Second Edition Textbook Announcements Monographs Titles of Interest Continuing Series
A72
Journal
of
Chemical Education
Don B. Weser George B. Kauffman Catherine Gilbert George B. Kauffman
Malcolm M. Renfrew George B. Kauffman
Malcolm M. Renfrew
