RECENT BOOKS QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS. William Reimun 111, Ph.D.. and Jacob D. Ncurs, Ph.D., Rutgers University. International Chemical Series, McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., New York City, 1937. ix 425. 13.5 X 20 cm. 8.25.
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This excellent textbook of quantitative analysis makes a particular appeal as not only new hut original in its arrangement and theoretical approach. The authors in the preface describe the haok sa thoroughly and precisely that the best review of the work would quote the authors' comments from the preface itself. "Every theoretical discussion in the text is located immediately before or immediately after the laboratory procedure to which it applies. This jurto-position of theory and practice makes the hoak less flexible and augments slightly the task of the instructor who wishes t o use the book with a different order of analyses. The advantage, however, of impressing the student with the intimate relationship between theory and practice far outweighs the disadvantage." The early introduction of the theory and technic of potentiometric measurements and the graphical interpretation of results is a distinctly original and daring innovation. Volumetric analysis is taken up first, and the physical chemical interpretation is carried out systematically through xidimetry, alkalimetry, oxidation-reduction, electrolytic precipitation, and the detennination of pH. The text is intended for use in connection with a two-semester course. The first nineteen chapters are t o he studied during the first semester and the last nine chapters during the secondsemester course. Organic analytical reagents are included in the second-semester procedures. Oxime and dimethyl glyoxime procedures are, in particular, specific illustrations. The complete analysis of limestone and brass including the use of platinum ware is included. The appendii of twenty-two pages is distinctly a valuable adjunct t o the text, and a five-place logarithm table is included. The text has a fine list of problems after almost every chapter. The solution of these problems demands a thorough understanding of the text material for their answers. Answers are provided in seven pages a t the completion of the appendix. The text is abundantly supplied with literature references, and only the most recent and timely references are included. The text has sa much of originality in teaching methods and a t the same time is so much a t variance with present teaching practice that it would he unwise t o offerany prediction as t o the popularitv i t mav eveutuallv command. Probablv one thine is certain; i t will requm P particularly enthusiastic type of teacher and corps of assistants to realize the best results from its use in connection with large classes. As the authors predict, this unusual limitation is of but minor importance as compared with the reward in results which can be expected to follow. G. FRED~RICKS m m UmvBxslrv ox ILLmoIs UP.B*N*, ILLINOIS
versity, should find in the hook material suited to his needs. Suggestions are included for those who are seeking material far ' a ~ e nhouses' and exhibits in chemistrv. "Tcacher-training elasscs in science require suitahle demonstration material in chcmiswy, and this hook was written as am aid for these students." More than two hundred lecture demonstrations are provided, organized about the major topics of general chemistry. For each demonstration there is given a list of supplies needed, a description of the procedure t o he followed, and, in many cases, an illustration of the apparatus used and a hrief statement of t h e purpose of the demonstration. More than fifty references to t h e original literature are cited. While the h w k is serious in purpose, Professor Elder does not hesitate t o relate the chemical principles demonstrated to t h e everyday experiences of the students, as may he seen from t h e following list of demonstrations: soil analysis, water analysis, air conditioning, cleaning silverware, preparation (and consumption) of . nectin iellv. and the test..o~erationof a fire extineuisher. iug of batteries, soaps, cosmetics, and baking powders. Included in the volume are tables of solubility, the metric system, atomic weights, and the periodic table. The hook is attractively made up, the illustrations showing unusual originality and skill. JOHN R. SMPEY
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STRUCTURE oa ATOMICNUCLEIAND NUCLEARTRANSPORMATIONS. G. Gammu, George Washington University. A second edition of CONSTITUTION OF A T O ~NUCLEI C AND RADIOACTIVm,Oxford University Press, London and New York, 1937. xii 270 pp. 70 figs. 3 plates. 16 X 23.5 cm. $6.00.
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This volume presents and discusses current theories concerning the composition and structure of atomic nuclei in the light of the experimental discoveries of the early thirties. A humanly sympathetic note is struck by the plaintive comment: "whereas in writing the first edition the author felt unhappy because there were not enough experimental facts and theoretical calculations, he now feels that there are perhaps tao many." The discovery of the neutron, the deuteron, the positive electron, artificial radioactivity and disintegration by neutron and deuteron bombardment have all been accomplished since 1930, when the first edition was issued. The mere recital of this list of major discoveries emphasizes not only the tremendous rate of advance but also t h e complete revision in theoretical concepts that w a s necessitated, since, as the author states, "the first requisite far a theory of nuclear structure is a knowledge of the elementary constituent parts from which the nuclei of the different elements are built up." Topics discussed include: elementary particles and constituent parts of nuclei, nuclear binding energies and stability limits, spins and magnetic moments of nuclei, nuclear transformation^ DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS IN GENERALCHEMISTRY. -spontaneous and by collisionand a brief section on the abundance and origin of the elements. The theories of Fermi, HeisenAlbert L. Elder. Associate Professor of Chemistrv. .. Svracuse . Vniversity. Harper and Rrothcrs, Sew York City, 18337. \%i berg, Majarana, and Gamow are considered in detail. A number of valuable tables, c. g ,of mssses and relative percentages of nu2.4: pp. 89 figs. 1:3.9 X 21.4 cm. S2.00. dei of stable isotopes, of mechanical and magnetic moments of I n the preface Professor Elder suggests the large groups a t dif- nuclei, of unstable elements and their transformations, of nuclear ferent educational levels to whom this hook should appeal. He reaction, etc., are included. Barely sufficient experimental data are included t o supply states. "It is hoped that hiah-school teachers of chemistry and general science will find many suggestions for the improvement background information concerning nuclear properties and reof demonstrations. The lecture assistant. be he 'Tohnnv.' .. the actions t o serve as a basis for theoretical consideration. T h e brightest bay in the hi~h-schoolclass, s senior or a paduatc us- thtorrtical discussions arc presented in conciw and lucid English stsrvnt in thr. smallcr collrgr, ur a lccturc assistant in a large uni- and conclusions are drawn with beautiful precision. Of npproxi-
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