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BOOK REVIEWS General Chemistry
Wendell H. Slabaugh and Theran D. Parsons, Oregon State University, Corvallis. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New 478 pp. Figs. and York 1966. xiii tables. 21.5 X 23.5 om. 88.50.
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Another general chemistry text for average students has been added to the rapidly growing list. I n designing this text, the authors have attempted to give materid suited for both the average and the more inquisitive student. Some changes have been made, of which the most noticeable is the grouping of the descriptive chemistry under the headings of Monatomic Anions, Monatomic Cations, and Oxyanians. The hook assnrne.3 that the students have had a high school chemistry course, and apparently, that this background has given the student a wealth of understanding in terminology, alt,hongh little is presumed in the area of principles. Each page in the book is divided into two columns. One mlumn contains the text, while the other contains figures, tahles, occasional supplementary material for the better student, or is left blank. The type wed is unfortunately small. The beginning chapters on Elementary Principles, Atomic Structure, and Periodic Properties touch superficially upon many important principles. Electronic s L m e ture is introduced via five columns of historical development leading to quantum mechanics (Sohredinger's equation is then "derived" in the column for the more inquisitive student). The n quant,um
-Reviewed
number is properly introduced as representing the main energy level, but immediately following this, the electron d i e tribution in the calcium atom is pictured as a. series of four equally spaced rings resembling rather diffuse Bohr orbits. Next, s-, p-, and d-orbital shapes are given without regard to t,he principle quantum number. Following the chapter on Periodicity are solid, but fairly standard treatments of types of bonding, and ions and molecules. Staichiometry and gas problem are next treated in much more detail than usually encountered in current texts. The a p proaeh is heavily weighted toward the mechanics of obtaining numeried solutions to the problems. Chapters on solids, liquids, and solutions very rapidly introduce many topics prior to the kinetics (using some simple calculus), equilibria, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics that precede the descriptive 1270 of the text. The final third of the text treats metals, complexes, nuclear chemistry, geochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and colloids. Some modifications in the grouping of subject matter and the idea of two levels of presentation are certainly to he commended. While porists may object to such matters as having an intermolecular potential diagram, labeled with farce and energy concurrently, or the incorrect ordering of the energies of the free ion versus the d ~ r h i t a lcomplexes, the greatest problem wit,h this text is that thestndent is very likely to he frustrated in any attempts a t gaining an underst,anding of the
in this Issue
Wendell H. Slabaugh and Theran D. Parsons, General Chemistry Donald C. Gmgg and Constance L. B m m , Chemistry in the Laboratory A~thuvW . Greenstme, Frank X . Sutman, and Leland G. Hollinlingurorth, Concepts in Chemistry K . B. Yatsimirskii, Kinetic Methods of Analysis James S. Fritz and George H. Sehenk Jr., Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Gaston Charlot, Rapid Detect,ion of Cations and Anions Ferenc Szabaduary, History of Analytical Chemistry Henry Rakoff and Norman C. Rose, Organic Chemistry Herman F. Mark, Giant hlolecules Ernest R. M. Kay, Biochemistry: An Introduction to Dynamic Biology C . S. G. Phillips and R. J. P. Williams, Inorganic Chemistry. Volumes 1and 2 Frank T . Guekcr and Ralph L. Seifert, Physical Chemistry Alezander Kmnpane@s, Basic Concepts in Quantum Mechanics G. N. Lewis, Valence and the Structure of Atoms and Molecules
principles. The language is not sufficiently explained and great demands would he placed upon thelecturer if thestudent is to he made r e d y for the next class. Although the text is difficult in this regard, the advanced topics (e.g., the justification Brz of the mathematical form of the Ha kinetic equation, or the entropy introduced as "q,*,/T--a state of function") have been treated in only a superficial manner. The approach that has been used has allowed the authors to introduce a vast array of topics, and in a few cases, to p r o vide two levels of presentation. I t is unfortunate that this has been done a t the expense of clear definitions of the terminalogy and depth in those topics that should he used to whet the student's intellect~~d appetite.
THOMAS E. T A Y I ~ R Heidelberg College Tifin, Ohio
Chemistry in the Laboratory
D d d C . Gregg and Castance I,. Brown, both of the University of Vermont, Budington. Allyn and Bacon, Ine., Boston, 1966. iv f 170 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 25.5 om. Paperbound. 54.75. "Chemistry in the Laboratory" is a laboratory manual for first-year wllege chemistry. Part A consists of 24 eaperiments which are cross-referenced to the two textbooks written by Professor Gregg, "Principles of Chemistry" (second edition, 1963) and "College Chemistry" (second edition, 1965). I t is assumed that the experiments will sometimes precede a detailed lecture discussion of the topic in question. The stndent is told that "this sort of sequence is historically wrrect, and is not a t all illogical." The manual could very easily he used with classeij using any text. Each experiment includes a brief hut adequate discussion section which the student will presumably read before he performs theexperiment,. Most of the experiments in Part A involve measurements of mass, volume, or temperature. Weighing with a preckioll of 5 mg is expected. For this, two-dial t,orsion balances are suggested. The pages of the manual are provided with tear-out perforations. Space is provided for the required calculatiom and for answering the supplementary rquestions and problems which are provided with each experiment. I t is recommended, however, that a notebook he used as a depository of data. I n Notes to the Student the authors state that the purpose of the laboratory 15 "to experience a t first hand the types of experiments and manipulations performed by chemists." The purpose is not to verify the facts and concepts presented in the textbook. Part A, in addition to many conventional topics, includes experiment? in which the student prepares basic lead chromate, basic lead acetate, potassillm
Volume 44, Number I , January 1967
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lead iodide, nootanilide, iodofnrm, aspirin, chrome dum, C u ( N H 4 ) ~ ( S 0 4 h 6HAI and Cu(NFla)rSO1.II1O. In an experiment entitled A Series of Chemical lieactions, metallic copper is converted into a. sequence of compo~mdsand back to capper again. The qualit,ative observations in Part B are the hasis for an abbreviated system of qualitative analysis for anions and cations. The stated purpose is to provide a. means of reviewing acid-baqe behavior, oxidntiot\-rednetion, and chemical eqnlibrium. The experimeuts involve the separation of eight anions and 15 cstims into groups and their s~hsequent illdividnal identifiest,ion. Students who use this manual should get the message that the laboretory is where chemical knowledge is ohtained and where theories are tested.
metals, transition elements, the iun triad, are of the redox type, afeir number of camt,he duminom family, and the C & I . ~ O I ~plex formation reactions itre also discussed. family. In the reviewer's opinion, the main weakThe urganiaation of this text gives a nesses of the book are the absence of material dealing with diRerent,ial rate methods definite example to the st.udent of the scientific method. Each chapter follows 8. and the rather thin coverage of the western lit,eratttnre. On the whole, though, the basic pat,tern which present,^ a uew concept hook fills an important gap in the seconand then shows its vahle or application. darv literat,ure of malvtieal chemistrv and At the end of each chapter are questions c s n b e recommended to those interested in which: (1) use the basic mncept, (2) this nwel approach t,o chemical analysis. relate terms within the concept, (3) solve problems within the concept, and (4) show an application of the concept. The text m a t e d is well presented with diagrams and key ideas highlighted in the margins of the pages. Also, there are several attractive color plates which illustrate various identification tests, indie* tors, emission spectra, ionization energy, atomic size, and the periodic tahle. Quantitative Analytical Chemistry This reviewer feels that the atomic theory and bonding theory are introduced James S. Frztz, Iowa State University, tcm early in the text as compared to those Amea, and George H. Schenk, J I . . 11aed by bhe CHEMS and CBA pnbgrams. Wayne St,ate University, Iktroit. Also, the student is thmwn into f u ~ m d a Allyn w d Bacon, Inc., Boston, 1966. writing and equation writing without, xii 516 pp. Figs. and tables. soflieient laboratory experience. The 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $8.95. topics of kinetics, energetics, and reaction (.henry are not covered as intensely a3 any From the Preface m d Introduction to text used by the CHEMS or CBA pro"Qnantitative Anslyt,ical Chemistry" it is grams. However, the text is a good one clear that, t,his book is intended by the for the average rather than the sboveanthorn to serve primarily as s. basis for a. lwersge or superior college-bound student. two-semest,er couse in e l a m t a r y qnantitative analysis. After emphasizing that ANDREW N. GETTEB developments in the science and practice Rozhorovgh High School of analytical chemistry which have ocPhiladelphia, Pa. curred in recent years, are often not reflected in elementary coulvo: and texe books, F r i t , ~and Schenk disclose the sublbstmce of their approach in the comment, "Many imtmet,ors now recognize Kinetic Methods of Analysis this and are taking steps to update their courses. We feel that the traditional K. B. Yatsirniskii. Translated hy courses in qunntit,ative analysis should P. J . J . Hamey, University of St,ratlihe updated, hot that instruction in the clyde. International Series of Monw important older principles and methods graphs in Analytical Chemistry. Pershould not be neglected." Among their gamon Press. Inc., Long Island City, majur gods the authors, ". . . aim to New York. 1966. xvi 15.5 pp. Figs. make analytical chemistry as simple as and tables. 14.5 X 22.5 em. $7.50. can he done and still maintain adequate Kinet,ic principles and techniques are eoverage - and rensonahlv. .precise explesfinding qt,eadily increasing applicitt,ion and sion." use in andyticd chemistry; thus, this It is the reviewer's opinion that "Qusnsmall monograph on kinetio methods of titative Analytical Chemistry" will likely m a l y s i is both timely m d instruct,ive. prove an attrsct,ive book. In 516 pages Yatsimirskii's book (apparently t,ranslated of easy-to-read, well-illustrated t.ext F r i k from an earlier Russian version) consists of and Schenk provide s. tightly written, five nhurt,, general chapt,ers dealing briefly usable account of not only the basic with some theoret,ical principles, experiprinciples and applications of "classical" ment,al met,hoda, eles~ifieationof suitable qumtitative analysis, hnt of many of resctions w d similar introdrtct,ory topics, the later methods as well. The body of m d , finally, of a very extensive chapt,er the discusvion contsins numerous exdiscussing t,he debails of specific methods amples and mmple prohlem calculations, for the determination of elements and ions and includes both extensive illustretive mine kindie techniaues. The liltter chaw t,abolations of recent data as well as ter is further supplemented by a tabulation graphical ilh~st,ratiom Each chapter is (by element) of the various individual followed by s list of discussion qnestionu prooedures covered. ' and nnmeried problems, the answers to The choice of mthject matter clearly remany of which are included in a separate flects Yat,simirskii's own interest in scction at the end. "cat,alyt,ic" rate methods. Because the The book is divided into two sections, author is s. leading authority in this area, Part I-Principles and Theory (pp. 1the relevant portions of the monograph are 8131, and Part II-Laboratory Techniques very good indeed and should be highly w e and Procedwes (pp. 3147516). Part I, ful t,o American chemists became much of besides denling in the nsual fashion with the pertinent literrttlre is inaocessihle in the essential topics of claqsical analysis this country. A second laudahle feature (sample prepnl.atinn, gravimetry, titrimof the monograph is the irrelusion of etty, chemical equilibrium, spect.rnorganic as well a5 inorganic reactions; (Cmlinued rn page AfiZ) while most of the specific systems t,reated
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Concepts in Chemistry Arlhzw . 'U G~ecnslone, Bsyside High School, New York, Frank X . Sutman, Professor of Science, Temple IJnivertity, Philadelphia, and Leland G. Hollingworth, Brookline (Massach~wetts)Pnhlic Schools. Harcourt, Bmee, and World, Inc., New York, 1966. xii 704 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm. (A lab manual, teachers' m e n t ~ d and , test,s are also provided.) $0.20.
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Many textbooks for high school ehemis-
t~y have heen written for the above average and s~iperior rallege-bound ~ t u d e n t . However, "Concepts in Chemis1,ry" has been written for the average eollege-hmwd or nursing-school-bound student. "Concepts it! Chemistry" contains five units (Atomic Theory, Chemical Ileaetions, Nuclear Chemistry, and 1)escriptive Chemist,ry which inrlude chaptem dealing with chemistry and hiochemist,ry) whieh consist of 38 chapten for a lahoratoryoriented course for the high school chemistry student. Seventeen chapters disems the various aspecls of themetical ehemistry and 14 chapte~sare devoted to an application of t,hesepl.ineiples. Interspersed throughout the text m e skills chapt,ers, which cover such areas as formula writing, equation writing, gas laws, stoiehiometry, and identification of ions and anions. Several ehaptelv contain suggested laboratory demunstrations and experiments to illustrate key principles or concepts. Two of the 17 chapter3 deal with nnclear theory-the others cover atomic theory, the periodic tahle, chemical reactions, bonding theory, kinetipmolecular theory, solutions, and reactiun theory. The authot.s develop the concept of the atom from the one proposed by Dalton to the qnmt,um mechanical model. Ionization, acids and bases, and oridation-~.ed~tet,ion conclude the theoretical section. The descriptive chapters fullow, and deal with such topics as: the halogen family, sulinr and oxygen family, nit,rngen family, alkali metals and hydmgen, slkdine earth
62 / Journal of Chemical Education
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