remain, nevertheless. It would seem that beginning nonseienee majors who use this manual should be well supenised. T. Cassen Universityof N'orthCarolina at Charlotte Charione, Noiih Camlins 28223
Chemistry in Actlon: Novel and Classical
Approaches Norman Wells, Erwin Boschmann, Wilmer Fife, Indiana University-Purdue University a t Indianapolis, and Peter Gebouer, Monmouth College, Illinois. Science Enterprises, Incorporated, Indianapolis, 1977. aiu 288pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X 28 cm. $8.95.
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This lahoratorvmanual is intended for the heginning nonwience major, and, according t t r the I'rrface, the exprrimenlr were d r d oped mrr a five-year prriud; Inml heinp usrd by 5000 students. The 37 experiments included in the manual cover a broad spectrum of topin, ranging from scientific measurement, and simple experimental technique, through inorganic smthesis and analvsis. ehemistrv. , . to areanie ,. c w y r n e activity, and blood analgqia. The organic, and the two biocl~cmi~trv, rrp-rimrn~z require up to thrcc hours 1*, complete; the others can he performed in less than two hours. Fifteen experiments deal with organic chemistry. They cover such topics as the preparation of bromocyclohexane, alcohols and ethers. esters. functional erouos. .. . carhoIt).dram, a'nd nat"rnl products tcatfcinc 3nd clwler;tcrul,. Two cxpcrimcnr- involw "drv lal,s" in which the studcnts build models to explore aspects of molecular structure, and isomerism. An experiment in ehromatographic separation employs amino acids, inks, and food colors. The remaining experiments touch upon such topics as Boyle's law, periodic trends, types of inorganic reactions, inorganic synthesis, the composition of hydrated salts, concentration studies (which require a spectrophotometer), acids and bases, the determination of calcium by permanganate
-Reviewed
titration of the oxalate, the spectrophotometric determination of phosphate, and physical properties. The format of each exoeriment is standard: M-trri:di Ntedtd; Dackgnrund. I'mcrdure. The periorated Hepurt Sheet* are the stnw dard fill-in-thc-blank typc which includc a variable number of problems and questions pertaining to the experiments. When special solutions are required far an experiment, directions for their preparation are conveniently furnished with the experiment, rather than being relegated t o an appendix. The Background sections are brief, for the most part; however, afew experiments do include more detail than the others. Despite the brevity of these sections, further information is integrated with the procedural details in several of the experiments so that the connection between theory and experiment is more effectively underscored. This lab manual appears to treat its subject matter at a somewhat hieher level than man" manuals intended for ncmseienre m a w s . In ~ m e reeelvri l h ~ irvernl c,f t h experimenLLI. imprersiun that the imttome may well depend on a care and attention to detail for whieh beginning nonscienee majors are not especially noted. Furthermore, there appear to be some potentially dangerous aspects to some of the experiments. For example, the following statement appears in Experiment 4: ". . .DO NOT simply add every available chemical listed in the Special Tests to see what will react. This is unnecessary and may be dangerous." In Experiment 11, students are instructed t o drop a hot iron wire into a jar of chlorine, which is in a hood. In Experiment 21, instructions are given for performing the t h e m i t reaction, with the admonition t o "Pull the hood down, or protect with a safety shield, and stand a t least six feet away." In all fairness, i t must be said that possible hazards always seem to be brought to the student's attention, but the hazards
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N. J. Selley, Kingston Polytechnic, Gipsy Hill Centre. Halsted Press, New York, 1977. vii 211 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 24 em. $19.75.
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This book is an introduction to classical electrochemistry and contains a number of interesting laboratory experiments and lecture demonstrations suitable for freshman chemistry and physical chemistry. It is a valushle source of ideas for a teacher of these tolws nnd r o d d ali,. Ire used (18r iupylemcntarv rcnd~ngfor atatcnts brcsuse tne hl.tunral prrsprrtwt of thr writiny Because several major topics of modern electrochemistry are not covered, this book is not recommended as a textbook in electrochemistry. There is no discussion of diffusion processes or of the electrode double layer. Electrode kinetics are covered in about two and a half pages which include a parenthetical mention of exchange current and four equations containing a (the transfer coefficient) without mentioning i t by name. No mention is made of the heterogeneous rate constant. Electroanalytical techniques are covered in a %page chapter. Equal weight is given to the glass, the quinhydrone, and the antimony electrodes for pH measurement. Ian-selective electrodes are covered in a half page. DC polarography is the only polarographie technique mentioned and it is claimed to be useful down t o molar concentrations! In general, the material is correct and reasonably well explained but, as in any text, there are a few rough spots and some outright errors. For examole. in order to avoid the use ~~~
in this Issue
Norman Wells, Erwin Boschmann, Wilrner Fife, and Peter Gebauer, Chemistry in Action: Novel and Classical Approaches N. J. Selley, Experimental Approach to Electrochemistry Jearl Walker, The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers Warren Niederhouser and E. Gerald Meyer, editors, Legal Rights of Chemists and Engineers Joel H. Hildebrand, Viscosity and Diffusivity: A Predictive Treatment Peter A. Rock, editor, Special Topics in Electrochemistry John Wood. Oliuer Lundouist.. Clos Helpesson. and Nils-Gasta Vannerberz, editors, ~eactivit;of Solids A. B. Migdal and A. J. Leggett, translator, Qualitative Methods in Quantum Chemistry Milton Kerker, editor, Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Volumes 1 4 New Volumes in Continuing Series ~
Experlmenlal Approach to Electrochemistry
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Reviewer T. Cassen Peter E. Sturrock Thomas E. Taylor Thomas L. Sweeney Reginald P. T. Tomkins Fred M. Hawkridge Charles W. Owens Don R. McLaughlin Karol J. Mysels
Volume 55, Number 11, November 1978 1 A417
