VOL.9. No. 3
RECENT BOOKS
term on page 113, for example. Page 56; the constants of equations 28 and 29 are different, contrary t o the statement a t the bottom of the page. Page 37; the derivation of van der Waal's equation of state should be clarified. Attention should be called t o the fact that the constants a and 6 are dependent on temperature. Page 85, Problem 2 ; i t would be simpler to refer t o this crystal as simple cubic. Page 96; the very simple derivations of the equations for specific rotatory power are entirely obscured. Page 123, line four from the bottom; the word "absorbed" should he replaced by the word "converted." Page 134; in the reviewer's opinion the Principle of Le Chatelier deserves far more emphasis than is here accorded it. Page 249; the eaample given is too involved t o have pedagogical value. Page 252, line four; there is an unfortunate use of the term "differential heat of solution." Page 568; Moseley used a crystal of potassium ferrocyanide. A crystal of sodium chloride was used merely for calibration. Page 601, middle of page; the phrase "of solid elements" should follow the word "crystal." I n the opinion of the reviewer Dr Daniels has accomplished in a brilliant manner what he set out t o do, and this edition of this popular textbook is now without a rival It merits a cordial receotion. F. L. SHINN umvens1rv ox' oaeooll EVDHNB, OBBOON
Electrochemistry. Prmciples and Practhe. C. J. BROCKMAN, Associate Professor of Chemistr).. University of Inc., Georgia. D. Van New York City, xi + 348 pp. 47 Figs. 14.5 X 22 cm. 84.00. The title of the book given on the cover is likely t o be misleading. From the title and the size of the hook one gets the idea i t is a treatment of fundamental principles only. The title on the title page, "Electrochemistry. Principles and Practice," is more enlightening.
603
The discussion of fundamental principles is confined t o the first forty pages; this includes also a brief historical treatment. A description of the preparation of several inorganic and same organic compounds by the electrolysis of solutions is given about forty pages. The electrometallurgy from solutions of copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, lead, tin, iron, cadmium. cobalt, silver, gold, and alloys is covered in the next one hundred ten pages. The whole field of alkali. chlorine, hypochlorite, and chlorate is confined t o twenty-five pages. A few pages are given to each of the topics, "the production of hydrogen and oxygen," "the electrochemistry of gases," and "the chemical production of electricity." One chapter is devoted t o the production from fused electrolytes of aluminum, magnesium, sodium, calcium, cerium, and beryllium. The last thirty-six pages are given over t o furnaces and electrothermal processes. The reviewer approves this very limited treatment of electric furnaces; the only excuse for ineluding this topic a t all in a book on electrochemistry is that electrical energy rather than some other form is converted into heat, and from this point of view every housewife who uses an electric stove should be considered an electrochemist. The index is very complete, with many cross references. The author states, "It is the aim of this book to point out the mdre important applications of the electric current in the manifold phases of chemical manufacture, . , has been made ~
~
to present eledroehemistry in not too technical a manner so that it will interest the chemist, the plant manager, the manufacturer, and the fringe of business men who are not necessarily adepts vith electrochemical manipulations; yet it is hoped that the scientific value of the work will not be lost t o the virtuosi of electrochemistry." If considered from the point of view of these objectives. the book is well done. A sufficient amount of the historical, theoretical, and
604
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
practical sides of the subject is given t o arouse the curiosity and maintain the interest of the type of reader for whom the author states the book is primarily written. Such a reader would not appreciate the fine points of electrochemical theory or complex mathematical derivations, or the details of plant operation; and if they had been included the reader would probably lay the hook aside before he progressed far, with the feeling that i t is beyond him. The specialist in the field can supplement the material in the text through recourse t o the many references t o current literature. There are several errors, some unfortunate choices of illustrations, and a few omissions. The most important of these that the reviewer observed are given below. The expression, "specific conductivity" is frequently used in place of "specific conductance" or "conductivity." The incorrect idea, presented in a large majority of the textbooks on physics and chemistry, that sodium ions and anions such as SO,-- in a water solution, may be discharged a t the electrodes and the resulting products then react with the water, still persists in this hook. I n the development of the idea of decomposition potentials on pages 18, 19, and 20, in addition t o the selection of unfortunate examples, the author has shown faulty reasoning and a misuse of terms. The whole discussion is highly confused. The confusion persists also on page 22, where the figure and discussion given for "case 11" applies really t o "case 111." On page 24 the reader might get the notion that a hydrogen electrode "consists of a plstinum-black electrode of definite dimensions"; hut, of course, no "definite dimensions" are required. The reviewer questions the advisability of the use of such expressions as "the CuC concentration in these solutions is as low as 10-' normal." The statement that "there has not been very much scientific study of brass depo-
M m , 1932
sition" might be questioned. The author does not include references t o many of the more recent investigations on the eledrodeposition of brass and other allays. Considering the readers for whom the book was written especially and the extensive use of the lead storage battery, a fuller discussion of it might well have been included. I n the discussion of the lead cell the statement is made, "The discharging voltage is higher than the voltage of discharge as shown in the accompanying curve." This statement is confusing, especially as there is no "accompanying curve." In discussing the Edison cell, the statement is made, "it consists of a positive electrode of h e l y powdered iron . During the course of discharge the negative electrode undergoes a transformation t o Fe(OH)*." There is confusion here in the use of "positive" and "negative." The use of inhibitors in connection with pickling baths has assumed such importance recently that the topic might well have been referred t o in connection with cleaners. The presence of many of the errors noted above, and others not mentioned, are probably due t o the proof not having been carefully read. A. L. FEncusoN
..
Chemical Arithmetic. SAULB. ARENSON, Associate Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cincinnati. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York City, 108 pp. 14 x 21.5 cm. 1931. v $1.25.
+
The solution of a chemical problem would be materially simplified if the student would read the problem, analyze it and plan a mode of attack. After calculations show the student the answer, he should be able t o say "that's just about what I thought the answer ought to be." In line with this, answers are given in a fitting manner: "code" answers
