Chemical applications of radioisotopes (Bowen, H. J. M.) - Journal of

Chemical applications of radioisotopes (Bowen, H. J. M.). Gregory R. Choppin. J. Chem. Educ. , 1970, 47 (5), p A398. DOI: 10.1021/ed047pA398.2. Public...
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book reviews chapter is devded to zone electrophoresis. Chapter 1.5 covers miscellaneous methods and it is divided into five sections. The sect.ion on distilletion and evaporation covers organic elemental analysis, inorganic separations by dist,illat,ion from solutions, vacuwn fusion, and evaporation of metals s t high t,ernpersture. Theprinciples of zone refining and zone leveling are discussed in the next section. Inclusion compounds, such as, clathrates, channel inclusion compounds, and layer compounds are covered in the third section. Foam separations and thermal diffusion consbit,ut,e the last two sect,ions in this chapter. The author stat,es that the individual chapters are designed to stand alone, and, as a result, there iu considerable repetition of material. The Vau Deemter equation is presented and discussed in three different r.haot,ers: t,he Glueckauf d o t for inter-

be itn asset to the beginning student in t,he field of separations.

A. CULP ROBERT Piardw University la fay ell^, Indiana 47907 Chemical Evolution: Molecular Evolutions towards the Origin of Living Systems in the Earth and Elsewhere

Melvin Calvin, University of Cdifurnis, Berkeley. Oxford Universit,y Press, New York, 1969. vii 278 pp. Figs., tables, and color plates. 15 X 23 em. Hardbound, 89; sofl.ba~und,64.50.

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Here in one volume is s. unique colleetion of lectures given by Professor Calvin a t Oxford University. The int,imary of the lecture is preserved; the author is not afraid of the first person. The value of the book is that. it is much more than R. mere transcript with slides. I t is a welldeveloped narrat,ive, packed with information, execllcntly reprodwed photographs, ahnndant references to the original liberxt,me (both to bhe author's work and t o that. of others) and an adequate index. Part I provides The View fram t,he Present towards the P a t . The fossil record yields to molecolitr paleout~ology. Bath biosynt.hesis and possihle ahiogenic synthesis is explored and docnment,ed. Part I1 examines The View from the Past towards the Present. This is the elahoration of the title, chemienl evolution. I t comprehensively covers ihe subject fram prebiotic chemistry (the evolution of small molecules) through selection and growth of polymeric species, and informat.ion coupling to three dimensional, higher order structures. There is much for all but the specialist to learn from this lueid and honest discourse. Never does the author fail to make clear what is information and what is specdation. Even the summary, a convincing chronicle, is prosented as "% conceivable sequence.. . whet,her it is the ouly possible sequence is t,he problem." The reader hopes an addendum can be made in later printings to remove some of the speculation about, lunar exploration now that samples are on earth. The final short sectiou the rtut,har calls The View from the Present towards t,he Future. It, is his credo, given in strong personal terms in answer to the question of why man should pursue s search for. significance. I t is honest,, thoughtful, and hopeful. Let us hope t,hat future scientisbs read through to the end!

of column retention volume to the partition coefficient is discussed many times. These could have been presented in detail in the chapter on general principles and brief reference made to that discussion in later chspters. Two chapters have been devoted to ionexchange; the second chapter, covering specialized ion-exchange systems, is short and should have been included in the earlier chapter. I n the chapter on miscelleneous methods, organic elemental analysis is discussed under distilletion and evaporation, neither of which implies a chemical change of the sample. This topic should have been discused elsewhere, if a t d l . In the opinion of this reviewer, Professor Dean has composed a book that is comprehensive in chromatographic techniques and is well writ,ten. He WRS done an excellent job of introducing each subject before discussing it, therefore, making it easy to follow and understand. The chapter on gas chromatography is especially good, in t,hat a beginner in separations can gain considerable knowledge of the subject by reitding this chapter. Unfortunately, precipitation and distillntion are dealt with very little, if s t all. A book with a. title suggesting an all-inclusive text on sepsmtion techniques should include these topics in some detail even if, as Professor Dean states, they have bee11introduced in a first course on analytical chemistry. WFK The text is designed for n onesemester course consist,ing of t,hree lectures and one Chemical Applicationr of laboratory period per week a t the adRadioisotopes vanced undergraduat,e or first-year graduate level. There are numerous sample If. J . M . Bowen, University of Reading, calculstians to show how the formulas e m England. Methuen and Co., Ltd., be applied to praclieal cases, and there are London, 1969. Figs. and tables. 13 many problems and questions that would X 19cm. 55. be encountered in the course of Isborntory exercises. This book is a new addition to the series The format of the book is the same as its of "Methuen's Monographs on Chemical compmion volume on "I~~strumer~Lal Subjects." I t consists of seven chapters Methods of Analysis!' Professor dean'^ entitled: (1) Properties of Radioactive style of writing makes the book easy to read and understand. I t should prove t,o (Conlinued on page ,4400)

A398

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Jourml o f Chemical Education

book reviews Isotopes; (2) Physical Applications of Tracers; (3) Applications in Testing Separation Technique; (4) Applications in Chemical Andysis; (5) Equilibrium Studies with Isotopes; ( 6 ) Chemical Pathways; (7) Miscellaneuns Studies with Rndioisotopes. There are also four appendices covering physical constants and the half-lives, hetx znd gamma, decay energies of common mdionuclides. I t cluding the index there are 130 pages in this small ( 5 X 7 ' / ~in.) book. With wteh limitations on size an author must make many difficult decisions eoncerning inclusion and omission of material. For the most part. Professor Bowen has exerci.xd commendable judgment. An rtma~ing number of applirations with specific examples are included. By necessity the descriptions are brief hut this is compensated by s. list of good references in each chapter. There are some questionable sections-the first chapter on basic principles is extremely e l e m e n t q and not, as extensive as the coverage of nucleilr and radiochemistry in the typical freshman text. Thi8 is in contrast to the remainder which is best understood after courses in organio and physical chemistry. The author expresses the hope ill his Preface that this hook "will be usefd to undergradnates with an interest. in radiochemist,ry and to graduates wishing to enter t,he field!' Ilowever, its value lies not in teaching the methods of use of radioisotopes but in showing many interesting examples of their use in all arereas of ' chemistry, both in research and indust,ry. It, therefore, would seem to be of neatest interest to the chemist engaged in research who is interested in considering whether radioisot,opcs can help him solve a p r o b lem. I t is too brief and fragmented to recommend as a. means of introducing students to radiochemist,ry in a useful way. Further, for its size the price, 85,i i too high to recommend to students for their personal libraries. Despite these reservat,ions, this monograph should be of value to teachers and researchers ss s brief hut interesting survey of the applications of radioisotopes. Gmaonu R. CHOPPIN Florida Slate Universit~ Tallahassee. Florida

from the book that their cowses have not, provided since the historical approach bo chemistry has been largely ahnndooed by the high schools and colleges. I have nttenrpted lo t.ell the inatnre of (he research that led bo the advances in the science and somelhing of the personalities of thc meti whose efforts were mosl effective." The aitt,hor, a swcessfrd teacher, who has a good grexp of chemical history, has reached his objec(,ives; he has pot oul a very readable and informabive volume that can he rend wit,h profit by beginnem awl also experienced chomists. This was not a book thst was easy bo write. It, covers an immense amount of material and t.he present,ation of sometimes compliczied topics in simple language reflects the author's exceptional skill. The mere choice of materid to be included or excluded demanded talents of 8. high order. The time span extends from Fmm the Aucient Days of the Chemical A r k to the present,, The Atom Discloses its Secrets iollowod by What Now, What Next,?. No spxce is given to technicnl rhemistry ". . .hecause I have Reen trying t,o explain what, chemist,ry is and how it got i n be that way." Not, every reader will agree with what has been left out (for example the reviewer regret,ted the absence of photochemist,ry and photography; colloidal syst,ems and their peculinrities) but chacun a s a gout. On t,he other hand, the readability and interest were heightened greatly by t,he masterly way in which chemical history and biographical touches were employed. A list of suggest,ed madings of the proper grade of difficulty and a good index are good features. This volume is recommended for parchase by all libraries.

R ~ L P E. H OCSPI~R Univamit?~of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45881

Gmelinr Handbuch der Anorganirchen Chemie. 8, Auflage, System Nummer 47, Blei. Teil C, Liehrung 1, Technologic des Bleir. Verbindungen bis Blei und Chlot

Edited by Grrhnrt Hantko and the Gmclin Institute. Verlag Chemie, GMBH. Weinheim/Berest,rawe. 1969. ~, xxii 346 pp. Figs. and 'tables: 17.5 X 25.5 cm. DM 421.

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Invitation to Chemistry: An Informal History of M a n and Science

Ira D. Gnmrd. Doubleday and Co., Inc., Garden Cit,y, New York, 1069. vii 420 pp. Figs. xnd t,ables. 14.5 X 21.5 cm. $7.95.

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The Preface st,at.es: "This book has been written for the general render who has taken only an elementary course in c h a m i s t q or none s t d l . It. tries to tell whet. chemistry is and how it reached its present state. Them are also included several examples of what chemists do and why they do it. Those who are well informed in chemist,ry may also gain a. perspective

The chapter on technology in this volumo reviews the current st,ate of t,he art of load recovery. Topics include roasting reductions, sinter romting and slag format,iuns, the vaporiaatiou plocess, and the wet metallurgical processes. The lead oxides, PbO, Pb103, and PhOq are explored from many points of view. Brief sections on PbIIc, the compounds of lead with nitrogen, and the lead-halogen compounds are also included. This is the first of throe nect,ions which cover t,he compounds of load.

JANET VNDOREN College of Wooster Woosler, Ohio