book reviews tion is a verv similar but imnroved version. Otherswll t%d it to bean exchlent chorce for a trad~tronalapproach to the nonmsjors courses ~awrenceJ. Stephens EIM College Elmlra. &w Swwk 14901
aim of a suitable text for a two-semester course for biologically oriented nonmajurs. However, if these students were t o d e r ~ d to e takeany sdditicmalchemistry, they would he deficient in areas such as electrochemistry, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, and chemical kinetics. They would, however he far ahead of students who mav have taken a conventional majors'course intopics such as chemical nomenclature and descriptive chemistry. ~
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Wayne C. Wolsey Macalester College St. Paul, Mlnmsote 55105
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This book was written for students who, while not majoring in chemistry, require a basic two-semester course which includes a n introduction to organic and biochemistry. I t follows an earlier one-semester hook, "Foundations of College Chemistry" (Dickenson, 3rd Edition, 1973) written by the senior author. Many of the chapters in the present book are similar to ones in the earlier text, hut have been extensively rewritten. The section on organic and biochemistry has been expanded greatly, with enough (208 out of 669 pages) to occupy the major portion of a. semester. The text as a whole would be good for students who have had minimal previous exposure to chemistry. The introductory chapters cover in great detail, with many good examples, sueh topics as chemical formulas and stoichiometry. The thrust of the hook is essentially descriptive, and i t includes especially good chapters on the inorganic chemistry of selected families of elements. Some topics, sueh as chemical equilihria and kinetics, are treated in a quantitative manner. The coverage of thermochemistry is essentially nonexistent. Molecular geometry is also not treated very thoroughly. Colloids and air pollution are treated extensively. The organic-biochemistry presentation is a classical non-mechanistic treatment, based on functional groups, which will he of utility t6 biology students., Included in the biochemistry section are chapters on proteins and nucleie acids, carbohydrates, digestion, and lipids. The authors have fortunately not chosen to jump on the "complete S.I. unit" bandwagon. Litre and metre are used. but nressure nu presented in m m of Hg and heats of reamon arc presented m krol Typogmphlral errors weur infrequently, hut unfortunately there are occasional errors of fact; we find on p. 118 a Lewis dot picture of 0 2 , Cu212is used a4 the formula for copper(1) iodide on p, 418, the "non-existence" of HBrOd is mentioned on p. 420, Bi205 is cited as the more stable oxide of bismuth on p. 439, and the phosphite ion is written as POs"- instead of HP0,2- on p. 127. Graphically, the book is unimpressive, with only occasional black-and-white drawings. The indexing appears to he thorough. Numerous good problems follow a t the end of each chapter. Overall, the hook would certainly fill the P
A128 / Journal of Chemical Education
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W. F. Arendale of Alsbsma in Hunkville Huntsville, Alabama 35807
Fundamenlala ot lnofganlc Chemistry: A Programmed lntroductlon
College Chemlstry Morris Hein, and Leo R. Best, M t San Antonio College. Dickenson Publishing Company, Inc., Encino, Elmont, 1976. xv 712 pp. Figs. and tahles. 18 X 26 cm.
is missing. The chapter on kinetics is excellent but there is no presentation of equilibrium constants. There is sufficient material tnsuppon a t w o s e m r s w r m ~particularly ~~, if emphasis is to be placed on chemical technology. Students familiar with the material covered in this text would have an excellent hackmound to Dursue a maiors' course in university chemistry where theory is dominant.
Chemlstry for Modern Courses Edited by C. Dobson, King Edward VI School, Southampton, England. The English Universities Press Ltd. 314 pp. Figs. and tables. 29.5 X 21.5 cm. A text filled withsurprises. The first. it is British. C o m ~put , sir in the lyres, petnd in the tank, and explore the colourof the landscape The crxt was witten tu meet the requirements of"most modern Ordinar) Level syllabuses." Manv of the thought provoking questions a t the &d of the chapter are referenced to the examination papers of the different Examining Boards. The second surprise can he summarized in the authors own words from the Preface, "The emphasis throughout, even in the theoretical sections, is on deductions drawn from experimental observations." The reviewer found the enistemolow different -.deliehtfullv .. from other freshman level trxts. Most of the experiments described ran be used as demonstrations or as lahorawry rxperiments nnd require minimal and easily acquired equipment. The sketches of the equipment in the text are sufficiently meaningful that many students, after the first few weeks, should feel they have participated in the experiment although they may not actually perform the experiment. The neat surprise is more subtle and reserved for teachers of freshman chemistry who may also he intemted in the application of piag& philosophy to pedagogy of science. The authors were members of the Chemistry Denartment of Manehester Grammar School whm cdlabwation on a fully structured e r perimentally basrd course was begun. Htncr. their experiences are related t o students in the age group that should be making the transition from concrete operational to formal operational thought patterns. Professors working with students who have not had college preparatory courses andlor nonscience majors will wish to consider the presentation provided in this text. It is not surprising to find SI units used in recent texts. This text uses almost exclusively the recommended units. The volume oceupied by one mole of gas a t s.t.p. is 2.24 X 10V m:'. Unexpected was the use of the nomenclature scheme that requires sodium I hydroxide, sodium I sulfate IV, and lead I1 ni~
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The relwance of chemistry to daily life is made meaningful thrnughapplicatiun toindurtrial ~roductlon.the envinmment. ecology, and'biochemis&. Thermochemistry is adequately presented hut thermodynamics
Edited by B. J.Aylett, University ofLondon and D. E. Billing, Council for National Academic Awards, London. Heydon, New York, London, 1975. xi 96 pp. Figs. and tables. 23 X 15.5 cm.
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This hook is a self-teaching programmed text for use in a first-year college chemistry course for science majors. Since the six contributing writers hold various posts in London, the material is specifically chosen to complement introductory inorganic chemistry courses in British universities. Nonetheless this little teat would he auseful supplement to an American general chemistry course. It should be pointed out, however, that the coverage is more limited than the title might suggest. This is indicated by the headings for the seven chapters containing the "programmes": 1) Electronic Configuration of Atoms; The Periodic Table; 2) Atomic Size and Coordination Number; 3) Electronic Screening and Effective Nuclear Charge; 4) Ionisation Energies and Electron Affinities; 5) Electronegativity; 6) Polarisation and Polarisahility; 7) Bond Types in Simple Inorganic Compounds. An eighth chapter contains tables for use with the pragrams. Each program is preceded by a short test which enables the student to determine if it is necessary t o complete the rest of the chapter. The test is to be repeated after completing the program to assure mastery of the material. The programs contained in this book underwent testing with the aid of the Chemical Society and subsequent revision prior to publication, The benefits of this are evident throughout. Each program progresses smoothly and logically, and coverage is a t an appropriate level of thoroughness. The writing is generally clear, succinct, and even lively a t points. The questions usually are direct and only require knowledge gained through the course of the program. A few exceptions to this are notable in Chapter 2. SI units are used throughout, but where appropriate the equivalence with the older conventional units is shown (e.g., equations for screening). As with any materials for the first course in chemistry, certain parts of this book may not be appropriate for a particular syllabus. Chapter 3 on electronic screening and effective nuclear charge may be more than some instructors would care to require a t this level, but this section easily could be omitted without lessening the effectiveness of the other programs. Likewise, the introduction of electrode potentials and their relationship
