JOURNAL O F
236 matic compounds (including a brief reference to qualitative and quantitative organic analysis), foodstuffs and a few biological substances; and physical chemistry, including properties of gases and of solutions, thermoehemistr): electrochemistry, colloids, chromatography, spectroscopy, luminescence, and radioactivity. Nine pages of tables of useful constants, followed by a detailed index, complete the volume. The typography and the quality of the papcr used are both very satisfactory. There can be little that this work will prove to he service in aiding the student to acquire facility in the various experimental chemical techniques in which he may become engaged in the courile of his training; and that likewise the instructor will find herein many useful ideas to assist him in preparing his oxperimental lecture demonstrations.
CHEMICAL EDUCATION
DIELECTRICS AND WAVES
Arthur R. won Hippel, Professor of Electrophysics and Director of the Laboratory for Insulation Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnoIlogy. John wile^ & Sons, Inc.. New York 1954. e i 4284 PP. Many figs. and tahles. 22.5 X 28.5 cm. $16.
T,, begins by extending the conventional definition of dielectrics t o the broad field of nonmetals in general, with metals a, a limiting boundary case, and then proceeds to explore the ex. and theoretical consequences of the following hypothetical assembly: my pretend dielectric can he exposed to or magnetic fields of any frequency b3r filling capacitor or coil with the material in question and connecting it t o a voltage 8ource ranging in frequency from zero (direct eurrentltox-rays( ;.lOLSc.p.s.)." His goalis to present to the reader WALTER C. SCHUMB MABSAC~OBETI.~ I V B T I T U T ~O F T B C ~ N D L O D I the domain of science in which the interests in the above experCAMBRIDGE, MABSACHOBETTB iment of the physicist, the chemist, and the elcetricd engineer overlap. This is a formidable task, hut despite the author'% mildly pessimistic foreboding in the preface, this reviewer feels that the mission has been seeomplished. The hook is divided into two main sections; in the first, the 0 COAL: ITS FORMATION AND COMPOSITION macroscopic prope~tiesof dielectrics are considered, while in the second, a correlation of these with molecular models is the 01,Wilfrid Francis, Consulting Chemist and Fuel Technologist. jective. The physicist necessarily has the dominant role in both St. Martin's Press, Inc.~New York, l9s4. viii + 567 PP. parts, because his vocabulary is comprehensible to both engineer figs. 138 tables. 16 X 24 cm. $17.50. and chemist; as might be expected, circuit and field theory arp T~~~ represents a new summary ,f the research work theguiding principles in the first section, while olassieal and quanout on the formtion and constitution of coal, in con- tum statistics take over in the second. Alternatively, the first formits with the pattern laid down in the ~~~~~~~~~h on the approach might be described its continuum theory, while in thc second,~ the discrete~structure of~matter and iradiation is~the cen~ ~f, coal," by~M. C. stopes ~ ~ i R,V, wheeler (1918), ter attention' The author is well qualified for this task since he was one of Wheeler's firs+, students, and also worked with ~ ~ i ~ hi^^^^^ h ~ ~ d The t scope of the work is by definition far beyond that af previous hooks on dielectrics; in addition to dielectric constant, loss tho U, 8. B~~~~~of M ~ who~ ~preeminent ~ , in this field, factor, and dipole moments, we. find microwave speotrascopy, In discussing the individu$ subjects the author piezoelectricity, ferroelectrieity, magnetic properties, and semihas heen selective in his of references has not attempted to include & complete synthesis of published papers, It is conductors among the new subjects presented. I t becomes clear to the reader that the earlier limitations of the subject were artiunuRunlin volume of this sort to include so much original not p r o ~ o u s l y this enbnces the of the ficial and unnecessarily restrictive to thinking. If we want to to all interested in this subject. Many of the excellently reprothe matter, it duced photomicrographs, showing the microstructure of plants, necessary to consider all kinds of interaction between ultimate coals, were provided by the original worlcers. ~h~ particles and electromagnetic energy. This thesis is developed tahlcs contain much valuable information, some of which has not in masterly fashion by t,he author. Free use of mathemticsl is mde, and a 'Ompetent knowledge of theoretical been previously published or which has appeared only in reports physiesisessumed: the bookianot intended forbeginnem. There not readily available. *fter a of mode of accumulation f,, coal- me a few curious pedagogicit1 anomalies in the text. For example, complex numbers and transformations of coordinate8 nrr forming plant debris in the firat chapter, * dotailed description explained in elementary detail, while familiarity with many mow is dven of the structure of the coal.forming plants themselves, is follorved a review of the of sophisticated concepts ia taken far granted. Some of the exposto in an understanding of the chemical changes that itory .yections, such as those on wave mechanics and resonmrr must have in the eoRlification proeoss. ~h~ two theory, are so compact that theJr serve primarily to remind thr discuss the formation and composition of peat and lig- reader that he should review these subjects in order to understznd nitous coals, Chapter is entitled The Coal Series-Terminwhat follows. Fortunately, the bibliography contains an exrellent compilation of more voluminous treatments of the mnn?. ology, ~tructureandPetrolow. Theseventhandeighthchapters ovcrlrtp in the ,.lassificivtion and graphical- special topics which the author has included in his survey. Another useful and fascinating item in the bibliography is the citastatistical studies of reaction in this tion of original fundamental sources. Pspers of Poisson, Laopinion, could be improved ~ t better h integration of published place, Gauss, Tien, Maxwell, Stokes, and Kirchoff represent. :I of ,'rational classiwith the author,s own fieation." Interesting and competent discussions are given on NO scientific library can afford to be without this book, hecozl-forming processes on the inornorml and ganic constituents of coal in the The final cause it should be aveilahle for study and reference to all thrrc two coal, ineluding groups to whom the author has addressed it. The price, howev~r, ohapter considers several ,,hJreical structure as derived from hest of wetting and reflectance. While places it the the student. many of the subjects discussed ace still controversial, the author does not indulge in polemics, but instead very ably presents conDIELECTRIC MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS sistently his own interpretations. Besides the usual author and subject indexes, the volume includes an appendix of twelve pages Edited by Arthur R. van Hippel, Professor of Electrophysics and describing research procedures for the detailed examination of Director of the Laboratory for Insulation Reseamh, Massachusetts Institvte of Technology. Published jointly by the Technology coals and coal-forming products. Thc book is excellently produced, and the relatively high oast Press of M. 1. T. and John Wiley Sons, Inc.. New York 1954. 438 PP. Many figs. and tables. 22.5 X 28.5 om. $17.50. may he attributed in part t o the large number of illustrations. Xii THIS hook is intended as a companion volume t o van Hippel's H. A. LOWRY "Dielectrics and Waves." It is s carefully edited compilation Wrmenomo, PENNBYLVANIA
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