Dielectric materials and applications - Journal of Chemical Education

Raymond M. Fuoss. J. Chem. Educ. , 1955, 32 (4), p 236. DOI: 10.1021/ed032p236.3. Publication Date: April 1955. Cite this:J. Chem. Educ. 32, 4, 236-...
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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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APRIL. 1955

237

of the lectures and discussions held a t the Laboratory for Insulation Research a t the Messachusetts Institute of Technology in September, 1952. I n all, 22 writers collaborated. They include representatives from university, industrial, and federal laboratories. Both producers and consumers of dielectrics are included in the industrial panel. The session was deliberately planned t o bring together the academic approach of "Why?" and t,hn oractieal attitude of "How?" and "What's i t eood for?" Bv

Dcvitrifieation; 111, Composition; IV, Chemical Durability; V, Viscosity; VI, Annealing; VII, Surface Tension; VIII, Heat Capacity; IX, Thermal Conductivity; X, Density; XI, Coefficient of Expansion; XII, Elastic Properties; XIII, Strbngth; XIV, Thermal Endurance; XV, Hardness; XVI, Optical Properties; XVII, Electrical Conductivity; XVIII, Dielectric Properties; XIX, Magnetic Properties; XX, Constitution. The eeneral index of the first edition has been reolaced b v senarate

the symposium. The collection opens with a 43-page summary of theory. I n it, von Hippel covers the salient points of the companion volume and naturally pla~iarizes himself freely. The second aection covers experim&tal methods of measuring properties of nonmetals; it includes bridge, resonance, and wave-guide techniques for determining complex permittivity. Measuring instruments and methods of using them are described in practical detail. Next, brief reviews of ferromagnetic measurements, microwave spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance are presented. The third section deals with applications. Gases, liquids, plastics, and ceramics are first discussed as classes of mrtterisls. Then applications of these materials as insulators in cspacitors, cable, and other equipment are reviewed. The treatment ranges all the way from purely empirical to abstract thearctical, and suggests that there was s. free exchange of ideas between the two schools s t the symposium. "Tho last ward in this discussion is properly left to a cable engineer who knows from hitter experience that not. the office and laboratory, but deserts and sewers are the final proving ground for his product." Next, dielect~iesas rectifiers, transducers, amplifiers, and memory devices are summarized. The discussion closes with statements by represent~tivesof the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy concerning the reasons underlying same of the specifications for dielectrics which have been set up by the armed services. The last section of the book is a photographic reproduction of the "Tables of Dielectric Materials," which contain electrical properties of about 600 materials

four, and five components. Those familiar with the first edition will find much of it incorporated, unchanged, in the new edition. Entire paragraphssometimes whole sections-have slipped by unchallenged. Far example, the following statements appear in the new edition exactly as they did in the first edition, 16 years and one world war earlier (italics are used by t h i reviewer for emphasis): "Much of this increase in knowledge was the direct product of the enforced extension of the optics1 glass industry during the Wa7" (page 19). ". . .one of the important post-way developments in Amenca" (page 78). "Some recent publications on t h e coefficient of expansion of glass,. . ." (page 270). (The letest date is 1934.) I n the first edition the author quoted three dictionary definitions of glass ("The Century," 1914; the "New Standard," 1932, and "Webster's New International," 1935). These three quotations and the references appear, unchanged, in the ncw edition (page 23). Recent revisions of these same works, a8 well as foreign dictionaries, were ignored. A table from the first edition (Table I 3 ) , showing world-wide glass production in the mid-thirties, appears, unchanged, in the new edition (Table 1-3). The author explains that: "Present world conditions are such that it is not possible t o bring it up to date." But the reader will probably feel that he deserves, a t this point, such fragmentary data as are available. I n spite of such inadequacies in the revision, Dr. Morey has produced, in both the original and the revised editions, a n excellent auxiliary textbook of physical chemistry. He meticulously introduces each topic with a consideration of the principles involved and definitions of the terms and units employed. His "teat" is most notable for its treatment of heterogeneous equilibria and far its comprehensive phase diagrams.

chemically defined compounds, and as such represent properties of individual samples. This book is recommended for the libraries of industrial rescareh laboratories and technological schools. The ~citdemic man will find many thing8 in it to stimulate his curiosity, and it may serve to increase his respect for the practical man who must obtain a solut,ion lor his problem, regardless of whether or not there exists a theoretical baais of approach. As in many other fields, art is still ahend of science in practical dielectrics. RAYMOND M. FUOSS Umv~namr NEW HAYEI. CONNECTICUT YAGG

THE PROPERTIES OF GLASS George W. Morey, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, D. C. Second edition. A. C. S. Monograph No. 124. Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1954. 591 pp. 157 figs. 192 tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $16.50.

THE first edition of this work, which appeared in 1938 as No. 7 of the A. C. S. Monograph Series, quickly won recognition as an authoritative reference and guide to research. I n his preface to the new ed~tion,the author states, "I have tried t o include a11 new measurements on glasses of known camnosition, with especial emphasis on systematic ~tudies. I n addition, much new material has been included on complex and commercial glasses, on theoretical speculations, as well as new sections an the effect of heat treatment on the properties of glass, and of absorbed radiation." The original chapter headings have heen retained in the revision: I, History and Definition; 11,

ROSS A. BAKER S*N DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

A. 1. Rutgers, University of Ghent, Belgium. Interscienoe Pub804 pp. Many figs. and lishers, Inc., New York, 1954. xviii tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $8.50.

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THIS new book, an English translation of the original Dutch edition, points up very eleerly the wide difference in scientific background imparted t o the European student as contrasted with in the American. In addition t o the usual tonirs nrespntd A.~ ...al-. most all physical chemistry texts, such as properties of gases, olassical and statistical thermodynamics, equilibria, ionic and nonionic solutions, kinetics, and atomic and molecular structure, Rutgers includes fundamental theoretical topics such as the Maxwellian field equations, classical theoretical meehsnics, snd wave mechanics, as well as a chapter by Alfrey on the physical chemistry of high polymers. The truly distinctive character of this book lies in its viewpoint, so very different from American texts in it,s method of pre~entation. First, as emphasized by Debye in his foreword, new subjects are introduced with s historical perspective, that is, they are described in the way they were originally conceived and subsequently developed. Thus, the student becomes aware of the actual character of research in conceptual fields, whereas s. strictly logical deductive development may leave him more impressed on aesthetic grounds but utterly confused as to how the basic principles were conjured ~~L~~~~