BOOK REVIEWS Resolution Mass Spectroscopes (H. E. Duckworth and 8. N. Ghoshal), and Vacuum Techniques (H. A. Tasman, A. J. H. Boerboom, J. Kistemaker) are exceptionally well written and in some cases contain previously unsvailable information. The book should he of value to the novice as well as to the expert in most areas of mass spectrometry. I t should he pointed out that the book is useless if one wishes to learn techniques for interpreting mass spectral data. This latter subject has been left for future authors to cover adequately.
D m Chemical Cwnpany F~amingham,Massachusetts
Complexation in Analytical Chemistry
Anders Ringbom, i h o Akademi, Abo, Finland. Chemical Analysis Series, Volume 16. Intencience Publishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, 395 pp. Ino.), New York, 1963. x Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. 515.
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After Schwarzenbach-in connection with complexometric titrations-had introduced the u- and @-coefficientsto fscilitate the theoretical treatment of camplexequilibria it was Ringbom who, in many publications, greatly promoted the development of the concepts of side resctions. The excellent hook under consideration gives an ttuthoritatively written account of the present state of this concept m d contains much matetterial beyond that previously published. One of the key sentences in the preface the reader is expected to be states: capable of developing detailed procedures on the basis of a few fundamental principles." In this respect the reviewer is, so to say, in philosophical disagreement with the author. Although it might he the ultimate goal to precisely develop a complete analytical scheme on paper, the real situation-at least at the preeent time--is somewhat different. Via calculations one may get a fairly good idea of the general and adequate conditions but final judgment can only be made after an experimental run. Unless the "new" method is an obvious analogue to an existing procedure, one has to be a. pretty lucky fellow to get the experimental results exactly as calculated. Usually there will be some difference between theory and practice which leads to the conclusion that not all the equilibria actually present have been considered, or that the constants used are not known with the necessary degree of accuracy. Further investigations must be conducted and after new data are gathered the complete recalculation may agree with the experimental findings. Philosophical disagreements notwithstanding, the way to perform these oal-
culations is described in the book with rare clarity and in logical development. The volume is equally well suited as a text in classes and far self-study. The multitude of examples, carefully chosen and calculated in detail, will be of great help. I t is well demonstrated how to reason in order to decide what neglections might be allowed so that the calculations me simplified without undue loss of accuracy. To digest the chapter of applying the concepts of aide reactions to acid-base equilibria (a new development) may require some extra effort and not only from a beginner. Since it is now common practice to treat acids as proton complexes, the handling of bases as hydroxo complexes s e e m logical. Then, however, the partial dealing with the datz on the basis of Br$nated's concepts causes some difficulties. But these difficulties mttv well be considered as stimulating and- thoughtprovoking. Formulas (39) and (41) on page 57 seem to have each a "2" missing as eoefficient or the text leading to the formulae is not clearly written. But neglecting such minor items, as a fint edition, the hook is surprisingly free of misprints. Besides being an excellent introduction into the field, the hook will be indispensable to anyone engaged in this sort of work because of the 80 pagea of tables. Not only is a critical selection of constants listed but the data. have been used to calculate side reaction coefficients for numerous equilibria. These tabulations will save many hours of work. Further data. of this kind are scattered throughout the book in the form of clear, graphical presentations. Anyone interested in complex reactions, whether from a theoretical or more practical point of view, should have this volume on his book shelf, ready for frequent and beneficial consultation.
H. FLASCHKA Georgia Institute of Teehnolagy Atlanta
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Physical Geochemistry
F. Gwda Smith, University of Toronto, Canada. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Massachuaetts. x 624 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $15.
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Among the mast perplexing and challenging problems in science today me those dealing with the origin, history, evolution, and structure of the earth, and its environment and of the chemical and physical forces acting within it. The field of geochemistry embraces the chemical approaches to the solution of these problems. Geochemistry has developed significantly from the largely descriptive approach of Goldschmidt, whirh involved the distribution of major and minor chemical constituents within the earth. Geochemistry as a modern science, or perhaps I should say, as an experimental science, can be said to date from the establishment, in (Crmtinued on page A876)
