BOOK
REVIEWS
Data and, in the opinion of the reviewer, is a vital part of the book. The proper David P. Shoemaker and Cad W . handling of data and, particularly, the Garland, both of MassachusettsInstitute way to carry out a correct error analysis of Technology, Cambridge. McGrawof an experiment are most important. Hill Book Co., Inc., Kew York, 1962. x Chapter Two opens with a fairly standard 471 pp. Figrr. and tables. 17 X 25 discussion of error distributions, the em. $8.95. Gaussian error function, and precision indices. A short section is then included It is a real pleasure to encounter s. on curve fitting followed by a concise laboratory manual which is not only well section on the propagation of errors. suited for laboratory instruction but also Although condensed, this latter section contains enough material to make it a provides the basic material for an error useful reference addition to a workin~ analysis of an experiment, an exercise rhc rhrary. .\hont 9 rhtrd re m>r f~mili~w chemistry laboratory manuals. I t is to tois ITVIPWCT BP hnvinx alqwmd it. unfortunate that so much emphasis is some version) in other current manuals. given here to the calculation of the m a Several other experiments are not eomimum error of the derived quantity which, monly performed or represent interesting although easier to compute, is rather variations on older experiments. unrealistic as compared to the probable The text opens with two preliminary error of the same quantity. Treat, chapters, the first, in addition to short ment of the latter case appears at the sections on safety, recording of laboratory end of tbis section. data, literature, and similar topics, The laboratory experiments themselves contains an znnotated example of a labor& are collected in the next twelve chapters, tory report. I n many eases students grouped roughly according to topics. reach the physical chemistry laboratory Here one may find such old standbys as with no clear idea of what constitutes a. the Dumas, Victor Meyer and Beckman good report, and a well-written example experiments as well as the modern can be exceedingly instructive. The ones involving measurement of dipole report given in this chapter might well moments of molecules in the gas phase, serve as a model of its kind for brevity the determination of lattice parameters as well as completeness. and lattice type from Debye-Scberer X-ray photographs, low temperature heat The second chapter of the book is capacities, transport properties of gases, entitled Treatment of Emerimentd Experiments in Physical Chemistry
+
-Reviewed
in this Issue
David P . Shoemaker and Cad W . Garland, Experiments in Physical Chemistry Herbert Budnikimicz, Cad Djerassi, and Dudley H. Williams, Interpretation of Mass Spectra of Organic Compounds Ralph Daniels and Ludwig Bauer, Problems in Organic Chemistry: A Funetional Group Approach W . Theilheimer, Synthetic Methods of Organic Chemistry.
Volume 16
Walter Utermark and Walter Schicke, Melting Point Tables of Organic Compounds An. N. Nesmeyanov, Vapour Pressure of the Elements
A. N. Nesmeyanou, Vapor Pressure of the Chemical Elements Eric Hutchinson, Chemistry: The Elements and Their Reactions
F . N . L. Poynter, editor, Chemistry in the Service of Medicine Charles C. Price and Shigeru Oae, Sulfur Bonding Louis Vaezek, The Enjoyment of Chemistry Ingoar Lindpuist, Inorganic Adduct Molecules of 0x0-Compounds
etc. A sufficient number and variety of experiments are present so that an instructor can pick a selection suitable either for a. beginning course, or for one a t a. higher level. Indeed, some of the experiments are scarcely suited for routine laboratory use and appear more apprw priate for special projects. A section on theory is given at the beginning of each experiment. This varies from a rather concise discussion for topics normally well treated in elementary physical chemistry texts to well-presented and detailed discussions of the theory relating to the more sophisticated experiments. The descriptions of the procedures for the various experiments in general are well done and point out the essential aspects without being unneeessarily detailed. Relatively fewer procedural details are given for the more advanced experiments where, because of their specialized nature, operational details will be dictated by the specific equipment available in a particular laboratory. References given for the latter appear to refer principally to theory rather than to sources of additional experimental information. The last part of the book consists of about a hundred pages devoted to general methods and instruments useful in various types of measurements. Included here are chapters on electrical measurements, measurement of temperature, vacuum techniques, instruments, and miscellaneous procedures and materials of construction. These chapters contain much useful information on the construction and operation of equipment, measuring techniques, etc., which not only is pertinent to many of the experiments described previously, but also can serve as reference for many common measurement problems. The contents of tbis section are up-todate, the equipment described is modern, and the methods and procedures recommended represent good laboratory practice. The book itself has been quite a& traetively prepared. The general format and lavout are well done, the type face is easyto read, and the figures arenumerous, large, and unusually clear and wellexecuted. The binding and paper quality are also first class. Although this is a first edition, it appears to be quite free from errors. Much of the equipment deacribed represents new and improved designs by the ituthors. For the most part, this equipment is not available commercially and its quality and nature are such that access to a good machine shop and glass-blowing shop is virtually a necessity for duplication. In summary, the authors have succeeded admirably in putting together a first class manual in which many experiments from the general area of chemical physics have been added to the repertoire of the physical chemistry laboratory. Instructors responsible for the conduct of such courses will find this book a vdudde asset to have close a t hand, whether or not it is adopted for regular class use. ROBERTC . TAYLOR University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Vol. 41, No. 8, August 1964
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