BOOK
REVIEWS
Chemistry: Science of Matter, Energy, and Change
Gregory R. Choppin, Floride State TJnivemity, Tallahassee, and Bemaxi .I&, James Madison High School, New York. Silver Bordett Ca., Morris town, New Jersey, 1965. x +724 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 em. Q6.20. Tmcher'r Guide to Chemistry: Science of Matter, Energy, and Change, including Chemistry: Reflaelions of Another Teacher
Gregovy R. Choppin and Bermad Jaffe. Jag A. Young, King's College, WilkesBxrre, Pennsylvania. 96 Iv 187 pp. Figs. and tables. 18.5 X 23.5 em. Paperbound.
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I t is a t once apparent that this text offen a new and significant contribution lo the teaching of high school chemistry. According to its Introduction, "Among the basic generalizations which were to be stressed, we chase the chemical bond, periodicity in the behavior of the chemical elements, the quantum mechanical model of the atam, molecular stnlctwe, the mechanics of chemical reactions, and the ronwpt of the mole." I t is upgraded in ot,her fundamental m a s as well and indudes several of the best features of CHEM Study and CBA. Generally it appear? about equivalent to the CHEM Slurly text in level of difficulty. A significant departure, however, is the inrorpo-
-Reviewed
ration of sppredahle amomnts of descriptive chemistry. In this reviewer's opinion, this is a retention of the best from the traditional course. The first 20 chapters contain the e e sentid principle3 and concepts. The remaining 12 chapters are primarily descriptive and account for approximately one-third the volume of the kxt. A thorough review of each topic along with appropriate questions and problems is found a t the end of each chapter. Brief historieal sketches of distinguished scientists are placed a t appropriate intervals along the margins of the text. These sketches, while not a part of the textualmaterid, offer interesting sidelights and background information. An innovation is the presentation of four photographic essays interspened a t varions points throughout the text. One particularly informative essay treat8 spectroscopy. Each essay contains 15 to 20 pages with questions, problems, and suggested reading material. Chapters 2-4 develop stoichiometry through to the mole concept, including gases and the kinetic molecular theory. Chapter 5 is primarily 8. descriptive chapter on oxygen and deals with valence and the mechanics of formula writing. Chapt,er 6 leads from a dimtssian on deviations fmm ideal gas behavior into t.he properties of liquid and solid states. Chapter 7 is concenled with the halogens, noble gases, and periadicit,y. Chapte~s8, 9, and 10 develop atomic
in this Issue
Gregory R. Choppin and Bernard Jnffc, Chemistry: and Change
Science of Matter, Energy,
J . i V e h Shaw, College Chemistry
J . R. A. Pollock and R. Stevens, editors, Dict,ionsry of Organir Compounds. Yulurnes 1-5 and First Supplement K. LeRoi Nelson and Evan Thompson, Laboratory Projects in Organic Chemistry H. W. Salzbe7g, J. I. Monoto, and S. R. Coha, Lsborat,ory Course in Physical Chemistry
.'U H. Hamill, R. R. Williams, Jr., and Colin MacKay, Principles of Physical Chemistry James B. Hendriekson, The Molecules uf Nature Mansel Davies, Some Electrical and Optical kspeets of hIolecular Behavior G. Kmliim, Treatise on Electrochemistry
A. R. Ubbelhohde, Melting and Crystal Structure John D. Bemal, Science in History
R. H. E. Pietsch and the Gmelin Inslztule, Gmelins Handbueh der Anorgilnisehen Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nnmmer 34, Qoecksilber.
448
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journal of Chemical Education
Teil B, Lieferung I
theory in fairly complete detail. Chapter 8 is historical (Thompson through Kutherford). Chapter 9 develops the Bohr theory as an attempt to explain the atomio spectraof hydrogen. Quantum mechanics is introduced in Chapter 10. The wave eqoation and electron probability distributions are interpreted in terms of the fonr qnantum numbee. In Chapter 11 bonding, including geometry and degree of ionic character, is treated. Chapter 12 extends these idem by discnssing the properties of water in terms of its molecular structure. Chaptern 13,14, and 15 deal with energy (including free energy), kinetics (mechanism and rate laws), and equilibrium. Chemical equilibrinm is first approached through kinetica u ~ i n gthe &, 1, HI system, but the authors hasten to add that. this is a fortuitous example and that most rate laws do not allow derivation of the equilibrium wnstant expression. On the other hand, chemical equilibrium is mentioned a3 being s. direct outgrowth of thermodynamics. Chapters 16 and 17 develop the stndy of aqueous solutions. Molarity is the on11 concentration unit used. I t is significant to note the omission of normal and molal solotiom w d pmblems based on molal freezing point data. In Chapter 17, BQnsted-Lowry Theory and acid-base conjugate pairs are dealt with extensively. The discussion of pH involves values other than integers and thus requires a working knowledge of logarithms. Chapters 18 and 19 are concerned with elertmchemistry (galvanic and electrolytic cells), and oxidation-reduction reactions. Redon reactions and equation balancing are treated from the standpoint of half reacbions. In Chapter 20, the authors extend the discus&n of chemical bonding and molecnlar geometry. Orbital shapes, their orientations in space, and atomic size? and volumes are briefly described. The remaining chapters, although mainly descriptive, treat their subject matter (including some biochemistry and nuelear chemistry) a t a distinctly higher level than older, traditional texts. Prim ciples developed in previous chapters ;tre now used to illustrate various points. This reviewer is disturbed, however, by one tacit assumption which seems to he made by the snthors of this text. Not all high school atrtdents capable of understanding the easier, mare traditional high school chemistry courses are capable o i nnderstanding eqnally the more modern, higher level approaches. Certainly, it, seems logical that a track system wndd be an appropriate answer to this dilemma. From our amm experience, we have fo~lnd that an upper track group (75thpercentile claw ranking or hetter) can benefit substantially from the more advanced, higher level eoursm. On this basis, it. seem" that this text is ideally mibed to s n upper level grotlp. I t could no doubt. serve as a useful reference text or guide fur a lower level track, but the topics woclld have to be carefully selected with respect to the baekgmund and ability of bhis group of students. The publishers have supplied a twopart Teacher's Gnide. The first part.
rrmtains an overview uf the textbook, daeribes its special feat,ores, supplies answers, and suggests lest qoest.ions. The second section is entitled, "Chemistry: Reflections of Another Teacher," by Jay A. Young. In i t he explains the importanre of physical chemistry (thermokinetics, and st,ructural determinations), as xn essential feature of modern-day chemistry teaching. He considers the tapir in some detail and thtw irmtrihutes ilwaluahle background i h r m a t i u u 11, the high school chemistry instructor.
Collage Chemistry
J . iVelson S h , San Ftmeism State College, California. Charles E.Merrill Books, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, 1966. aiv 497 pp. Figs. and tables. I.;..', X 23.5 cm. $8.25.
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This text was written for thoiie students who have had no previous course in chemistry. I t is, according to the author, "written for students in any of three hrond types of courses: (1) A terminal rn~lrse for non-science majors; (2) A wesemester preparatory eoume for those stndents who Intend to move into a cowse specifically for science majon; (3) A oneyear course in which hath science and non-science majors are enrolled." The text appears to be 8. good choice for the first two types of cowses, but it seems hardly adequat,e for the third type. While this hook gives a clear, readable, and accurate introduetiw to cli~ssical and modern principles of chemistry, i t crmtains almost no descriptive chemistry. A student whose only eqosure to ehemistry w;w through this book would he able to make many computations about the amounts of materials used and prodnred in chemical reactions, about equilihrium states, hand energies, acid-base equilibria, galvanic cells, chemical kinetics, and radioactive decay; hut he would he sL a loss as to the propertic3 of any of the
