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on the properties of solutions of selected suhstances or groups of substances. (‘hnptcr 11 is devoted to solutions of hydrochloric acid in water and in dioxane-water mistures; chspter 12 is given over t o strong 1-1 electrolytes (chiefly halides of the alkali metals); chapters 13, 14, and 1.5 deal with clectrolytes of highcr valence type, with mistures of strong electi,olytes, and with the ionization and thermodynamic properties of weak electrolytes. T h e wealth of material, both theoretical arid experimental, contained in this volume will make i t invaluable to the physical chemist and the graduate student in chemistry whenever adequate information about electrolytic solutions is desired. Author and subject indexes are satisfactory and! in addition, a detailed table of contents adds greatly to the usefulness of the book.
F. H. MACDOUCAI.L. Chemical Process Principles. I’arl One: Jfafeiial and E n e r g y Balnnces. By OLAF’4.IIocG E N ASD KEXNETH M . WATSOS. vi 452 p p , Kew T o r k : John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1943. Price: $4.50. This excellent, test has developed from Industrial Chemical Calculations by the same authors. Chapter I to 1’ and chapters V I 1 and VI11 cover material given in any good elementary course in physical chemistry, with the addition of many problems (some worked out in detail, others left as esercises to the reader) pertaining directly to the study of chemical engineering. Chapter V I on “Material Balances” is well designed to assist the student in studying operations on a large scale, whether these are merely chemical reactions, counter-current processes, continuous processes, or recycling operations. Chapter I X is an extensive discussion of “Fuels and Combustion.” I n Chapter X the general methods of calculating material and energy balances are applied to three typical processes in the chemical, metallurgical, and petroleum industries. These are the chamber sulfuric acid plant, the blast furnace, and the petroleum-cracking process. T h e reviewer found only two minor errors. On page 57, i t is stated that “if n saturated vapor is cooled or compressed, condensation will result and what is termed a wet vapor is formed.” -4s a matter of fact, adiabatic compression of saturated water vapor renders i t unsaturated. On page 227 the statement is made t h a t “water has a higher specific heat than any other substance with the exception of liquid ammonia and a few organic compounds.” T h e reviewer could add gaseous hydrogen and gaseous helium (at constant pressure) to the list of exceptions. F. H. MACDOGCALL.
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Sunthetic Resins and Rubbers. By P.4rr2 0. POWERS. 296 pp. S e w York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1943. Price: $3.00. Synthetic Resins und Rubbers is addressed t o young chemists and to students who intend t o enter industry. I t s purpose, “to describe briefly the chemistry of polymers, particularly those of commercial importance”, has been competently achieved. A foundation of knowledge is provided for much of the glue, paint, and rubber chemistry which is so important in practical work. T h e author, in his capacity as chief of organic research of the Armstrong Cork Company, has had intimate contact with the development and application of the materials whereof he writes. Short chapters on the economics of the plastics industry and on the principles of resin formation are followed by more detailed considerations of condensation polymers. These include resins prepared from phenol and formaldehyde (Bakelite) ; urea formaldehyde, best, linown in pastel-tinted bathroom tuinblcrs, nntl its improved successor, melamine formaldehyde; the polyester resins used in modern paints and varnishes; and the polyamides, which, as S y l o n stockings, conferred glamour on the rlmerican girl. The vinyl polymer*, including polyvinyl chloride (Koroscal), lustrous polymethyl methacrylate, now used for bomber windows, and polystyrene, are effectively described. The chapter on synthetic rubbers was written by K. 1-1. Weber, a researcli associate of Powers. It is the best general exposition of this subject t h a t has coni? to the reviewer’s nttcntion. I-nder “Resins fmni
