tion space and deacribe the semi-empirical surface devised by H. Eyring and M. Polanyi (1931), mentioning also the modified version proposed by Sato (1955). The third chapter deals with the statistical mechanical basis of rate theory. Topics considered in the fourth chapter include the corrnsion of a metal, the smelting of iron, development of the latent photographic image and potentials across biological membranes. After presenting some basic facts about the bioluminescence of the firefly, the glowworm and the small crustacean Cypridina, the s,uthors develop in Chapter 5 the theory of bioluminescence, which has a non-Arrhenius temperature dependence. Absolute rate theory is also applied here t o evaporation and condensation. The sixth and find chapter deals with one of the most important experimental frontiers in present-day chemical kinetics, the measurement of rates of very rapid reactions in solution. Flow methods, oompetition methods and perturbation methods are discussed. I n conclusion, absolute rate theory is applied to fast reactions. This small volunle is thoroughly indexed; and it is excellently printed, even where complicated exponentids abound. References to hooks and journal articles sppear at the end of eseh chapter. The reader, once he is infected with the authors' enthusiasm, will he pleased to note the existence of such hooks as "The Theory of Rate Processes" by Classtone, Laidler and Eyring (1941); "Quantum Chemist,ry2' hy Eyring, Walter and Kimhall (1944); and "Statistical Mechanics and Dynamics" by Eyring, Henderson, Stover, and Eyring(1963). LAWRENCE P. EBLIN Ohio U n i w s i t y Athens
developed a concise treatment of the basic principles of nuclear chemistry a t the level of the undergraduate student who has some familiarity with scientific concepts and terminology. This includes the most capable of the first-year students. The first chapter summarizes the strueture of the atom and its nucleus and includes a discussion of binding energy. The second chapter discusses alpha particle emission and its explanation in terms of the tunneling effect; excitation of nuclei by neutron bombardment, and processes by which excited nuclei lessen their energy; beta decay, electron capture and positron emission; and radiation background as one of the diffioulties in radiation measurements. The third chapter deals with the interaction of particulate and electromagnetic radiation with matter as the basis for detecting and measuring the radiations. It includes a brief discussion of radiation dosage units and maximum permissible dose. The fourth chapter considers gas detection and scintillation detection. The basic physics of ionization chambers, proportional counters, and G-M counters is presented with clarity, and there is a survey of the operating principles of scintillation detection systems. The last two chapters are the mast, chemical ones in the hook. Here are discussed radioactive decay statistics; secular equilibrium; the statistics of counting radioactivity; and applications of nuclear chemistry in fields of fi~sianand fusion weapons, controlled fission and fusion, the production of transuranium elements, the uses of radioisotopes, aetivity analysis, radiometric analysis, isotope dilution analysis, and activation analysis. Specific applications of interest include the first. use of nuclear power in space and the use of isotope dilution analysis as a method for determination of the blood volume of a patient,. I t is a pleasure to record that all the volumes which have appeared in this series of small books are well indexed.
Boric Concepts of: Nuclew Chemistry
LAWRENCE P. EBLIN Ohio Universily Athens
Ralph, T.Oowman, Oak Ridge Institute nf Xuclear Studies, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Reinhold Publishing Corp., 116 pp. Figs. Kew York, 1963. xi and tables. 12.5 X 19 em. Paperbound. $l.Q5.
+
The fifth hook to be issued in the paperback series, Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry, consists of material which ie "the outgrowth of a series of lectures given to various groups over a period of years," according to the preface to this little book of six chapters averaging 19 pages each. Overman's strong interest in chemical education and his experience aa Chairman of the Special Training Uiviaion a t the Oak Ridge Institute of Suclear Studies make him well qualified to write for students of chemistry concerning the fields of radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Like the other volumes in this series, Overman's hook presents material which is somewhat too extensive for inclusion in a firskyear texthook but which should be available to students who wish to make a, more thorough study of the particular area with which it deals. The author has
Chemical Calculations
Sidney, W . Bmson, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 254 pp. Figs. and 1963. xii tables. 15 X 22.5 em. Paperbound. $2.95.
+
The first edition of this book, published in 1952, emphasized the logical application of the conversion-factor method to problem solving in general chemistry. In the past decade, this approach has attained almost universal acceptance. Much of the credit for the trend away from "cookbook" methods of solving mathematical problems must go to Prufessor Benson. Despite a higher level of competition, the book remains a classic in its field. Volvme
Tho second, paperback edition represent an addition to rather than a. revision of the first. All of the problems have been retained; about 100 more, principally of a. more advanced nature, have been added. The explanatory material, except for a short section on acid-base equilibria in Chapter 13, is repeated verbatim from the first edition. Brief discussions of the m d a r heat ccrtpacity of gases (Chapter 6), successive equilibria (Chapter lo), Bryinsted acids and bases (Chapter 12) and half lives (Chapter 17) have been grafted on to the text. The properties and reactions of substances are outlined in two new appendices. It is unfortunate that the author continues to use the terms "molecule" and "molecular weight" with reference t o such compounds as sodium chloride. One might also wish for a more consistent use of ionic as opposed to molecular equations. With these reservations, the hook can be recommended as a particularly lucid treatment of the mathematiea of general chemistry.
WILLIAML. MASTERTON Universily of Connecticut Stom
General Chemistry
William H . Nebergall, and Frederic C. Schmidt, both of Indiana University, Bloomington, and H e n ~ yR. Holtzclaw, JT., University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 2nd ed. D. C. Heath and Co., Boston, 1963. viii 791 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 23.5 em. $9.25.
+
The seoond edition of this text w i an extensive, thorough revision which brings the book up to date while retaining the basic organization and features of the first edition (reviewed in J. CHEM. E D T C . , 36, 637 [1959]). An excellent chapter on coordination compounds has been added, reflecting the research interests of the new third author, Dr. Henry F. Holtzclaw, Jr. This chapter includes 8. brief introduction to the Ligand Field Theory. The chapter on Colloids has been strengthened in accord with present-day work in synthetic polymers and protein ehemietry. Other modernizations include new or expanded sections on atomic orbitals, atomic weights based on carbon-12, and use of the terms "Celsius" instead of "centigrade" and "rare gases" instead of %ert gases." Many new industrial developments are described, such as the De Nora cell for the production of sodium hydroxide, the synthesis of diamonds, the ion engine, rocket propellants, eemiconductors, solar batteries, fuel cells, and breeder reactors. The authors set s n excellent example in problem solving. The factor and molar methods are used throughout to minimize
on The Gaseous State. The appendix includes useful sections on exponential arithmetic, logarithms and the solution of quadratics. Unit8 and dimensions are
40, Number 9, September 1963
/
499
