RECENT BOOKS A FIRST BOOKIN CHEMISTRY.Robert H. Bradbury, Ph.D., formerly Head of Seience Department, South Philadelphia, Pa. High School. Third edition. D. Appleton-Century Co., New York City, 1934. x 633 pp. 315 Figs. 1 Color plate. 12.2 X 20.2 cm. $1.80.
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Friends of Bradbury's "First Book in Chemistry" will be pleased with the format, binding, and general all-around sturdiness combined with attractiveness of the third edition. [For a review of the first edition see J. CHEM.E ~ u c .3,1347-8 , (Nov.. 1926).] The new illustrations, waterproof cover, larger pagesize, and added topics enhance the appeal of this text for secondary schools. The information contained in the book seems almost encyclopedic in detail a t places; so the requirements of the more important syllabi have been met adequately by the subject matter. The author has been a consultant in industrial chemistry a s well as a teacher in high school and college. He therefore draws on much experience. The feature of the hook is the consistent reference t o and dependence on electron explanations of chemical activity. The idea of the electron is introduced on p. 18 and the concept gains momentum as the theme is developed, culminating in the final chapter on radium. The chapters are summarized by searching questions. Thought exercises and numerics1 problems in plenty are added also. Among the modern features of the hook one notices in addition to consistent electron' and proton description an early introduction t o colloids, the discharge of OH r ions a t the anode in the electrolysis of water, solvation and the formation of H - r, explanation of the reason for the chemical activity of nitrogen a t different temperatures, a description of the manufacture of flat-drawn glass, detailed description of the chemistry of fluorine, many low-temperature phenomena described, cosmic rays mentioned, crystalline vitamins recorded as commercial products, and mention of the Einstein theory as it applies to the relationship of energy to matter. Some inaccuracies get into any completely revised work. Those noted are given in the hope that their listing will increase the usefulness of the text. p. 18--Boyle's name is misspelled. p. W ' f o r " lacks a letter. p. 131-(Fig. 77) should include the date of death of Theodore Richards. p. 207-"depression" should be elevation. p. 22&N should be N2. p. %&Fig. 554 is given instead of Fig. 292. p. 257, ex. 8--nitrous acid is given for nitrous oxide. p. 278-the top line obviously doesn't refer to Fig. 139. I n fact, no apparatus for thg laboratory preparation of carbon dioxide is sketched. o. 318-sulfides is eiven for sulfites. p. 357-the last line has an extra comma and a disarrangement of page references. p. @--the "fluoride" of line 6 should be fluorine. The style of the author is, in general, clear exposition. Sometimes a charming picture is presented, as for example the electrons ferrying across between electrodes on their ions, the :'fishing" out of salt crystals, and the skunk as the first exponent of chemical warfare. At other times the clarity is obscured by a wnfusing placing of adverhs. Inaccuracies of statement such as "the formula wntains an atom" (p. 135), "the percentage composition can be read directly from the formula" (p. 136). "mix" used in the sense of combine (p. 191), the use of "solution" in two different senses in adjacent sentences (p. 73), and salts "contain" acids (p. 196) confuse the beginner. Simplifying the first few chapters and introducing fewer technical terms would encourage those "average" pup Is who are approaching the subject of chemistry with mental reservations. The errors are on the whole secondary and should not detract from or unduly cover the real value of the book. Most indefinite is (p. 309) "A trace of hydrogen sulfide escapes when a boiled egg is opened even though the egg be perfectly fresh, which explains the fact that the bowls of silver spoons become tarnished when boiled eggs are eaten with them."
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The modern aspect of the text is somewhat betrayed by a cut of an old-type electric light bulb (Fig. 3) and the failure to mention anything but celluloid as a basis for photographic films. Overbalancing these is the mention of rubber-lined tank cars, salt lenses for infra-red light. "hypo" ice in Hollywood, the comparison of the iron atom t o a grand piano, the explanation in terms of electrons of why metals conduct and non-metals do not, and the submicroscopic crystalline nature of so-called amorphous matter. Slight inconsistencies are as follows: the proof of diatomic molecules assumes a formula which has not been proved (par. 1 0 1 ) ; in the preparation of hydrogen peroxide (p. 142), barium phosphate does not coincide with the elements given in par. 80; the designation of the "-ides' (p. 197) endings leaves hydroxides an unaccounted exception; coal is "burned" to coke (Fig. 132); "2Ag H,S -+ Ag,S HZ" (p. 313) successfully evades the electromotive series without explanation; hydrates start without using the customary dot, yield falteringly, and end in the usual manner with the dot; Alaska is given as in the United States; and Fig. 315 dwsn't correspond with the figures given in the adjacent text. A more decided separation of the pairs of halftones would aid clarity (esp. pp. 174, 265). Boyle's and Charles' laws are given without the customary cautions about temperature and pressure, respectively. The law of multiple proportions is presented with mare explanation than usual. This is a step in the right direction for this law is understood by a few good pupils only, even after many illustrations. Some will be confused by a wlumn labeled "Ratio" (p. 95). which is a series of single integers. The topic of valence comes after the explanation of how to use formulas and how to write equations. The reverse order has pedagogical merit. A discussion of equilibrium and methods of breaking up this condition is placed in the chapter on nitrogen compounds. This chapter is already crowded and is one of the most difficult for pupils t o master. Soaps and fats is a difficult topic for a beginner in organic chemistry. The inclusion of an equation for the soap-making reaction would clarify the text description. The topic of foods deserves more adequate and unified treatment, for here is a chance for the pupil to make daily practical applications of chemistry. No mention is made of alcoholic beverages, a topic on which constructive education is ever desirable. A fascinating description of diamonds will captivate the reader. Gold is treated early as an element with one outer electron. This is interesting because some of o w pupils will remember having seen gold money. Weird crevices in the earth, the effects of chemicals on the body, industrial hazards from chemicals, the chemistry of explosives, cautions against self-medication and propaganda for same are topics which conspire to produce a stimulating and informative volume. The author is an optimist, far he recommends a radiator antifreeze mixture which freezes a t -23.6"C. (-10°F.).
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MODERN THERMODYNAMICS BY THE METHODS OF WILLARD GIBES. E. A. Gzrggenheim, M.A. With a preface by F. G. Donnan. C.B.E., F.R.S. Methuen & Co., Ltd., London; E. P. Dutton & Co.,Inc., New York City, 1933. xvi 206 pp. 10 diagrams. 14 X 22 cm. 83.50.
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The book is a scholarly treatise, containing important original I t is not intended contributions to applied thermadynami-. as an introductory text. The author refers beginning students to a more elementarv book such as that of Planck for a full dixuriion of tlw first nnd second laws. Neither is the hook a treatise on rnemtcnl thcrmodgnam>cs; thew are no detailed examples of equilibria in Rases; rccent cxprrimrntal studies of electrolytic solutions are scarcely mentioned; and the experi~
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