ABSTRACTS R. A. BAKER, Abstract Editor KATHERINE S. HOLMES 1. W. H OWARD
D. C. LICHTENWALNER GRETA OPPE
KEEPING UP WITH CHEMISTRY m e weighing of gases- dynamic prohlem. W. WESTPWL.
Heavy hydrogen's great use in tracing atoms. H. C. Unau. Sci. News-Letlcr, 26, 323 (Nov. 24, 1934).-Heavy hydlogen is author discusses mathematicallv and manhicallv the effects of imoortant: t o the chemist. because it enables him to trace the --.--collisions between gaseous mo1;cules and-the Galls of a vessel coirse of chemical reactions; to the physicists as a new atomic when the second collision takes place ( I ) a t the same wail, and (2) nucleus which as a target may yield new secrets of atomic nuclei; a t the opposite wall. His explanations also give the basis for the and t o the hidogists as a constituent of water, a substance so L. S. derivation of the barometric height formula. universal in the functioning of all forms of life. B. C. H. The origin of the metallic odor and metallic taste. E.RAUB. Hydrogen's heavy twin. W. Davrs. Sci. A'eurs-Letler, 26, Z . angeur. Chmn.,41,673-5 (Sept. 29,1934).-upon the basis of a 324-5 (Nov. 24, 1934).-Hydrogen is characterized as camnumber of experiments the author comes t o the following con- parable with carbon in its importance in naturally occurring clusions: 1. Metals and their alloys have neither odor nor taste. substances. Deuterium is ranked as "among the great dis2. Some metals (silver and copper) and their alloys may acquire coveries of science." I t s existence was predicted by both odor and taste because of the formation of chemical compounds Professors H. L. Johnson and H. C. Urey in August. 1931. It in the presence of sulfur compounds of the mercaptan or thioether was Dr. Urey, however, who, with Brickwedde and Murphy, groups. 3. The compounds described in (2) cannot be removed later isolated i t in sufficient quantity to establish its identity. from the surface of the metal by the usual mechanical cleaning I t was named to indicate its mass as double that of ordinary, now agents. They can be removed, however, by very dilute HCl, and called protium, hydrogen. B. C. H. strong reducing agents, particularly nascent H. This treatment New compounds improve lubricating oils. ANON. Chem. L. S. rids the metals again of any odor or taste. & Met. Eng., 41, 650 (Dec., 1934).-A crank-case oil should The chemist and national defense. J. D. P u n . Chemistry & have the following characteristics: (1) low consumption; (2) Industry, 53, 8 6 1 4 (Oct. 19, 1934).Since the industrial re- low carbon and sludge-forming tendency; (3) ability to give safe sources of the nation are mvolved m modem war all chemists may lubrication; (4) ability t o maintain piston seal; (5) free flow in cold he said t o have a hand in national defense in war time. This weather. To do this motor oils with viscosity indices of 120 and paper, however, is concerned with the specific problem of defense upward must he produced. The net result of studies to date has of the civil population against gas attacks from the air. Educa- been the strengthening of the conclusion that the highest possible tion of the general public on the ways and means of protection degree of paraffinicity is needed to obtain these high viscosity against such attacks is a goal toward which to work. This knowl- indices. The product most desired is some sort of isoparaffinic edge is important in spite of the Geneva Protocol. Rwms which material of relatively high molecular weight which is not handimay be protected from gas should be present in every house and capped by a high solidification point. Extensive research has building. People should repair t o these when a gas attack begins recently led to the development of such materials by the polyand remain there until the "all clear" signal is given. Public gas- merization of the light ends of refinery gasoline. The product is proof shelters should be provided for people caught on the streets. called "Exanal." I t can he made with molecular weights up to Gas masks and liquid- and gas-proof clothing should be provided many thousands, with a wide range of viscosities. I t does not for those who must remain in the open. The prohlem of decon- appreciably alter the other commonly measured physical and tamination of inanimate objects is also one of grave importance. chemical properties of the petroleum products to which i t is E. R. W. "rlrl,.~ ,T. a?. u The sea that played possum. ANON. Ind. BU?~., Arthw Silver may solve your corrosion prohlem. B. A. ROGERS. D. Little, Inc., 96, 2 3 (Dec., 1934).--So well has the "Dead Chem. & Met. Eng., 41, 6 3 1 4 (Dec.,, !934).-Silver has the Sea" "olaved possum" t h a t for generatmns the world regarded highest electrical and thermal conductlvtty of any metal, exn ln\t years so man) things h a w happ~ned ceeding the corresponding values for copper by approximately it a*d&d: ~ & h i the on its shores that today it i q a thing of life. "pulsatrn): with 7 . I t has a relatively low specific heat. Its most conspicuous health benefits uoon thousan& of humnn king. " mechanical properties are its softness and ductility in the an-.-.and -- - eonfrrrine --Numerous analyses cave proved i t t o be a vast potential source nealed condition. I t is well adapted to fabricating operations of common salt, potash, and bromine. The Palestine Potash, such as spinning, stamping, drawing, and the like. The metal is Limited, started work in 1930 with astonishing results. It has readily soldered with either soft solder or silver solder and may been stated t h a t if potash from no other source were avail- he joined hy autogenous gas welding without particular difficulty. able the quantity existing in the Dead Sea would supply the Sterling and coin silver are inferior to fine silver in their resistance world's reauirements for over 2000 years. Shipment is made by to corrosion, hut superior in strength. motor truck to Jeruwlcm, 25 miles away, and then by rail to The simplest and most comman type of silver equipment is the docks of IIaifn, some 115 milrr in d l The minxal resources made entirely of silver. Its principal drawbacks are low tensile of the Sea are computed as follows: strmwth and low Three different kinds -~ .. annealinn temoerature. of lined equipment are used. Fhese are (1) linings which are Millions of Tar fitted in without being permanently attached t o the outer wall, Magneium Chlmide 22,000 sodium chlonde 11.00~ (2) electrodeposited linings, and (3) duplex metal walls. Calcium Chloride 6,000 (2) and (3) are superior to (1) with respect to heat transmission 2,000 Potassium Chlonde but present a more difficult prohlem in the reclamation of silver Magnesium Bromide 1.000 after the eauioment has completed its useful life. Cast s i l ~ & ~ ~ u i ~ m is nbt e n tused in quantity. J. W. H. Astonishing as are t h e x vvaluts, mom remarkable is the status of Mechanizing the production of superior casein. EDITORIAL the D u d Sea a9 a hwlth rusort. The rcmarkahlc hdthfulness . F" - Met. Env.. 41. 645-6 (Dec.. 1934).--On the of .the .-northern shores of the Dead Sea is due to several filctors, S ~ a m C k m~. is the' most impbrtant byone of which is the unique fact t h a t 1300 feet below sea level the basis of tonnage produced: t the product of the dairy industry. The casein complex is thoroughly air is dmwr. so much & that 0% more oxygen is h r a u ~ hinto dispersed in the whey of milk a t a p H of 6.5 and precipitated lungs with each breath than is the case nt sea level. There is an absencc of fog in this nrra making an extraordinarily clua;, ?urc when the milk is acidified t o p H 4.6. Various acids may be nsed for this, hydrochloric being most generally nsed in the atmosphere. c.. U.
Z . physik. chem. Unlerrichl, 47, 260-1 (Nov.-Dec., 19341.-The
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U. S. A. C a w i n g out this acidification in hatch lots is not as simple as it seems. The casein complex is precipitated as a soft curd which tends to occlude impurities. Some of the milk is overacidified, precipitating other milk proteins. More acid must then he added t o the underacidified part remaining. The resulting product is therefore not uniform.
The Sheffield process was developed to overcome this difficulty and provides for the continuous reaction between small quantities of milk and acid. Ribbon conveyors are used for washing. The casein is then pressed between rolls, and forced through perforations into a tray. Final drying is effected by an air current of controlled temperature and humidity. J. W. H.
Madame Pierre Curie (Marie Sklodowska Curie). A. F. KOVAIUK. Am. I.Sci., 28,464-6 (Dec., l934).-Madame P i w e Curie wai horn of Palish parents Nov. 7, 1867; she died near Sallanches (Savoy) on July 4, 1934. Her father and mother were teachers. She engaged in private teaching for five years while she prepared herself for advanced work in physics and mathematics a t the Sorbonne. She graduated from this institutiun in 18!45at the hcad of her class in physics. In this same year shemanled I'icrre Curw (1859-1900). In LX9G they started thcir work on radioactivity. In 1898 they disrovered polonium und
radium. Pierre Curie was made professor of physics a t the Sorhonne in 1904, and his wife succeeded him in this position upon his death in 1906. She is the only Nobel Laureate who has received two Nobel prizes. She did much patriotic work for France during the war. I n 1921 she visited the United States where she was presented with a gram of radium and several honorary degrees. Her daughter and son-in-law, I r h e Curie and Frederich Jnliot, and 3. Xismblum arc carrying an important rrirarrh work and have rwcntly discovered the neutron and the phenomenonof artificial radioactivity. E. R. \\'.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES, METHODS, AND SUGGESTIONS A new technique in teaching. T . W. DAVIS. The Chemist, 1 1 , 1 4 6 8 (Sept., 1934).-"No major change in the technique of school teaching has taken place during a period of two thousand years." I t is proposed t o use sound films for the presentation of the standardized basic principles in elementary courses. The finest lecturers would he used in preparing these films; the lettures would be rehearsed and appropriate demonstrations would he used to illustrate the lectures. A syllabus would be used to
help correlate the work. The instructor would devote his time t o conferences with students and t o advanced classes where the flux of material prevents the standardization of material necessary for the production of successful films. "Released from the task of imparting factual knowledge, the instructor could devote himself to teaching methods and attitudes, in other wards, t o student training in the broader sense." E. R. W.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS AND DEVICES; CURRICULA Chemistry a t Colorado College. F. W. DOUGLAS. Tlu Chemist, 11, 171-5 (Oct., 1934).-Colorado College was established a t Colorado Springs in 1874 and from the date of its opening in 1880 instruction in chemistry has heen offered. The present laboratory has been occupied since 1903. The college is operated on the plan bearing its name. The lower division of the college forms the "School of Arts and Sciences" which includes the first two years and is something like a junior college. The upper division, which includes the last two years, is divided into three schools, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Letters and Fine Arts. The beginning chemistry for those who have had chemistry in high school is presented from the historical point of view. Especial effort is made to develop the scientific method of study. The structure of matter in gaseous, liquid, and solid forms, in solutions, and in colloidal dispersions is then presented. This is followed by descriptive chemistry, emphasis heing placed on industrial processes, and on the periodic relationships. The laboratory work is concerned chiefly with qualitative analysis. The sophomore year is devoted to quantitative analysis and the junior year is devoted to oraanic chemistry. Phvsical chemistry given~inthe senior year. Because of the peculiar health conditions of the region many young people threatened with tuberculosis and certain other ailments are able to effect Dermanent cures while ohtainine a college education. E. R. ~7 Report of the dean of Teachers College for the year ending
June 30, 1934. W. F. RUSSELL. Teachers Coll. Record, 36, 181-206 (Dec., 1934).-In this Report Dean Russell reviews the reasons for the abolition of special departments, and of the School of Education and the School of Practical Arts and the establishment of five divisions to take the place of the units abolished. The followingfive divisions were made: (1) Foundations of Education; (2) Organization and Administration of Education; (3) Individual Development and Guidance; (4) Instruction; and (5) Theories and Technics of Measurement and Research. Another part of the Report deals with the problem of differentiation of types of students, and the provisions made for regular and for part-time students. The Dean says in referring to the need of adapting courses for part-time students. "We must not forget that Teachers College was founded primarily to serve the needs of the public schools of the City of New York." A third part of the Report deals with the need for the establishment of "a small Advanced School of Education for the development of an educational &lite," with purposes somewhat similar to the present New College which is giving training t o the undergraduate educationally tlite. The Advanced School would have three departments: (1) Educational Research; (2) Professional Education; and (3) Practical Science. Another part of the Report refers to the differences in requirements and purposes of the degrees Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education. C. M. P.
PROFESSIONAL Are there too many chemists? EDITORIAL. Ind. Eng. Chem., 26, 702 (July, 1934).--Similar questions are asked of all professions. A broad classification totals: chemists 37.068, lawyers 16,000, architects 22,000, dentists 71,000, physicians 153.800, mechanical, civil, and mining engineers 96,000, college professors 62,000. Most professions appear to he overcrowded. When a specialist is nrrdcd in some field of chemistry, it is d~ficultto find tbe proper man. wen tlmugh many chemists are without johs. Intcrcst in and a ~ ~ r c c l a t i oofn chemistrv has been ~romotrdbv the Prize Essay a n t e s t and the News &ice. From 1928-32, 1434 doctorates in chemistry were conferred, and 133 additional in chemical engineering. Last year there were 417 Ph.D.'s with probably 7000 B.S. degrees in chemistry. There are probably 30,000 students in college with chemistry as their major. Many
of these will not continue in chemistry and probably should have been advised t o take up some other work. Yet some of our most successful chemists were in a similar condition in their early college years. "This does not excuse us from striving t o determine cardinal points in the proper education of a chemist, and if a student has no aptitude or fails in them, there would he strong mason to heliwr that he ir training to no purpose." hIcanwhil6 can we do better tlvm strive to educate thosc who would study chcmistrv? Some will use their knowledec nrofes$isionallv. ~ ~some > may em6loy i t only as a stepping stone & &her things, and for some i t will have only cultural value. Others will depend upon the acquired knowledge to guide them in determining when they require professional chemical service. After all, can t w many people know too much about our science? D. C. L.
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