Chemlcal Principles
R. S. Boikess and E. Edelson, Harper & Row, New Yark, 1978. Figs. & tables. 22 X 28.2 cm. xvii 742 pp. $15.95.
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In the Preface t o this text, the authors state as their objective: ". . . to present the hasic principles of chemistry in a way that can he easily read, understood, and appreciated by students without oversimplification o r omission." Given the heterogeneous character of most general chemistry classes, it may not he possible fur this, or any other text, to be successful in achieving this noble goal. Nevertheless, the hook has a number of stmng features which make it attractive. The text is designed fi,r use in courses for science majors. It is clearly written, with a strong emphasis on pmblem-solving. There are a large number of worked-out examples in the body of the text and numerous problems a t the end of each chapter. Answers to many of the problems are in an appendix. Treatment of chemical equilibrium is particularly complete. Chemical principles are covered in sufficient detail that students who are willing to read the text carefully should he able to understand most topics. Sume students might prefer a more concise treatment, however. The section on entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics is quite sophisticated and is likely to be difficult for must freshmen. ' Description chemistry is treated in three ways. First, there are individual chapters dealing with metals, nonmetals, and water. Secund, practical applications of chemical principles are included thmughout the text. Finally, there are fifty interesting one-page articles covering such diverse topics as "Separating Isotopes with Laser Light," "Cleaning Up with Paramagnetism," "The Polywater Affair." and "Platinum and Cancer." The authors have heen careful to be precise in most of their discussions. However, I question the use of the term "molecular weight" in reference to ionic compounds. I also question the wisdom of relating spontaneity tu AH: "An exothermic process will proceed by itself, with no help from the surroundings, and is said to bespontonrous" (p. 247). A caveat does follow this sentence: "These statements are slirht aversimnlilispontaneity of processes, as we shall see in
Chapter 13. But a t room temperature, the simplification usually is correct" (p. 247). Students are likely to remember a statement containing an italicized word (spontaneous) far longer than they remember the coueat. Since students frequently have difficulty learning that AG, not AH, determines spontaneity, I would prefer not to confuse the issue in the beginning. The authors present stepwise procedures for solving most types of problems. These procedures should be very helpful to students. However, the methods shown for determining Lewis structures (pp. 201-202) and for calculating furmal charges (p. 208) are unnecessarily complicated. There are also e r n m in the Lewis structures for HOClOz (p. 2101, FZ(p. 2171, and 0 2 (P. 217). Overall, this is a satisfactory text. Professors who are contemplating its adoption should consider the readine abilities of their students. For gwd students, it deserves serious consideration. Wayne P. Anderson Blmmsborg State College Blmmsburg, PA 17815
Chemistry, Reactions, Structure, and Properties Editors Clyde R. Dillord and David E. Goldberg, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1978. Figs. & tables. 26 X 18.5 cm. xxii + 756 pp. $16.95. The second edition of this general chemistry texthaok comes seven years after the lirst edition. The text is prepared with the objective to raise the level of instruction considerably above the traditional high school course. Although the hook was prepared primarily for the science-oriented student, it does not abandon those students whose backgrounds and interests may he less specific. No mathematics beyond algehra is required. Although much of the material in this new edition is identical with the earlier edition, the second edition is approximately one hundred pages longer. The increased length comes from additional text, figures, and many extra problems. Much of the added text material is in the form of introductory and transition paragraphs that reflect experience obtained from use of the first edition. Since the new material isasmall oercentage . of the total text, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the text offers such a significant
improvement in "readability"and cohesiveness. The use of numbers to identify sections may also be partly responsible for the'added clarity. Color is used much more effectively in this edition. The large number of problems that have been added to the previous sets eontrihutes significantly to the added page count. The new problems are selected in keeping with the quality of the first edition and should contribute much to development. of student competence far "problem solving" in the real world. The first edition contained more problems than would normally be assigned. With the additional problems of graded difficulty and depth of understanding required, the text can be used for several different levels of instruction by allowing the better students to acquire the desired skills and knowledge through working problems. The arrangement of topics in the new edition is similar to the first edition; see a review uf the first edition this Journal, Val. 49, page A165, March 1972. The early chapter on thermodynamics is one of the few chapters that has been rewritten. The discussion on kinetics has been removed from the early chapter on thermodynamics and now follows the discussion of the kinetic-molecular theory. Where it appeared that there was a deliberate attempt to avoid organic compounds in the first edition until the late chapter titled "Organic Chemistry," the new edition uses organic compounds and reaetions when these compounds offer the more appropriate examples of the principles to be illustrated. In addition a chapter on "Structures of Organic Compounds" has been placed in a natural and effective position between the chapters on "Chemical Bonding" and "Experimental Determination of Structure." This reviewer's opinion can be summarized by the simple statement: "a very good text has been improved." The text should remain a favorite with the teacher who desires that students be prepared for earlier meaningful participation in laboratory work through mastery of the basic concepts of stoichiometry, equilibrium, atomic structure, and molecular structure. The text should gain new supporters from those who feel that an understanding of demonstratable phenomena is possibly the best foundation for obtaining a deeper understanding of quantum theory and the principles of thermodynamics where mathematical preparation of the students is insufficient that the student can be taught the underlying mathematical structure. A student whocompletes this text will be ready for partiepation in upper level chemistry courses. W. F. Arendale me University oFAlabama in HuntsviMe Hontsvilh?, AL 35804
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Volume 56. Number 6,June 1979 1 A223
