BOOK
REVIEWS
MicheU J. Simko and Robert A . Plane, both of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1961. xiii 623 pp. Fige. and tables. 17 X 24 em. $7.50.
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At first glance the second edition of this popular general chemistry text would seem to be little changed from the first. A more careful examination reveds that many significant, though not extensive changes have been made. Far the most part they have corrected or strengthened the relatively few weak points of the first edition, resulting in improvement of an already high quality textbook. Two of the changes, however, reverse this trend-the new print is not quite as boldly clear and easily read 8s formerly, and the fine print, which is much more frequently used, is now too small to read easily. The book is attractively bound, and its general organization is unchanged. There are slight modifications in many of the figur~s,such as the use of gray and black tones of greater contrast than formerly and improved labeling where needed. A few new figures have been added.
With very few exceptions, such as the over-simplilied diagram representing the Millikan oil-drop experiment, the illustrations are excellent. Most, but not all of the numerical problem exercises have been altered enough to change the answers, and the total number of exercises has been increased by about ten to fifteen per cent. An improved section entitled Electron Probability Distributions replaces the one called Wave Mechanics and appropriately introduces the concept of orbitals (Chapter 3). In the same chapter, size of atoms is now discussed in terms of atomic radii, rather than giving emphasis as formerly to the less reliable concept of gram-atomicvolume. In Chapter 4, a section called Saturation of Valence remains unchanged. This is one of the less effective treatments. A good section on Shapes of Molecules has heen added, however. Except for the problems, the chapter on stoichiometry is essentially unchanged. The discussion of the difference between oxidation number and valence has been relegated to fine print, although it is certainly not of minor importance in view of the all-toc-common tendency to use these terms interchangeably.
R e v i e w e d in This Issue Michtll J . Sienko and Robed A. Plane, Chemistry Herbert W . Cwmer and Sidney B. Watkins, Editors, Chemical Engineering Prsctice. Volume 10: Ancillary Services D. 0.Jordan, The Chemistry of Nucleic Acids Leonid V. Azdroff,Introduction to Solids Herb& Weisz, Microarralytis by the Ring Oven Technique J . A. Edwards, Laboratory Management and Techniques H . Zeiss, Editor, Organometallic Chemistry L. Ambard and S. Trautmann, Ultrafiltration J . E. Gowan and T . S. Wheeler, Name Index of Organic Reactions The Science Study Series. Volumes 12 and 18. E. H. Rodd, Editor, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds. Volume 4. Part C: Heterocyclic Compounds Wayne Sorenson and Tod W . Campbell, Preparative Methods of Polymer Chemistry I . M . Kollhoff and Philip J . Elving, Treatise on Andytical Chemistry. Part 1, Theory and Practice, Volume 2 I . M . Kollhoff and Philip J . Elving, Treatise on Andytieal Chemistry. Part 2, Analytical Chemistry of the Elements, Volume 1 E m i n Charfaffand J. N . Davidson, Editors, The Nucleic Acids. Volume 3 G. Masing, Ternary Systems Editors of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Modern Chemical Processes. Volume 6 Robert B~ent,The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments Klare S. Markley, Editor, Fatty Acids: Their Chemistry, Properties, Production, and Uses. Part 1 Reagent Chemicals. American Chemical Society Specifications, 1960 Herbert R. Simonds, Source Book of the New Plastic, Volume 2
Other changes include: improvement of the presentation of the principle of diffraction of X-rays by crystals (Chapter 8); addition of a section, Entropy and Spontaneous Change, and improvement of the appearance of the phase diagrams (Chapter 9); omission of the former seemingly dislocated opening section, Multicomponent Systems, and the section entitled The Solution Process (Chapter 10); inclusion of the concentration term, formalitu (unfortunately confusing as presented); promotion of the section on solubility from the end to the middle of Chapter 10, resulting in improved order; expansion of the discussion of the BdnstedLomy theory in the same chapter; addition of a much needed section on buffer solutions (Chapter 17); and w e of arrows instad of dots to represent the electronsin orbitals. The changes in the second half of the book, which includes most of the descriptive chemistry of the elements and their compounds, are truly minor. The few changes made were dictated by good judgment. The alterations consist of slight changes in wording here and there, modifications of same figure& and the addition of a brief paragraph or so (in fine print) outlining the behavior of the elements in the conventional qualitative analysis scheme, where applicable. The discussions of the elements of relatively
in keeping with the changes in content. Useful new features include a periodic table iliside the back cover and a table of equilibrium constants added as an appendix. One may observe that bath authors have been promoted one step on the professorial ladder of rank since the fist edition. Doubtless this recognition was at least partially the result of their having authored a well-conceived, wellwritten and well-received textbook of general chemistry! A new edition of the Instructor's Manual has been prepared to accompany both text and laboratory manual. The content of the sample examinations and quizzes has been completely revised. The greatest change is the addition of a seventeen-naee unit eivine directions and
tor. GRANTW. Smm Pennsyluania State Uniuersity Univemity Park, Pennsylvania
Chemicol Engineering Prodice. Volume 10: Ancillary Services
Edited by Herbert W. Cremer and Sidney B. Watkins. Academic Press Inc., New York, 1960. vi 606 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 25 om. $19.50.
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Volume 10 contains a great deal of u p dated information on fuels, oombuation systema, steam, power, water, and waste disposal.
Volume 38, Number 11, November 1961
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