BOOK
REVIEWS
Freshman Chemistry Problems and How to Solve Them. Part 1, Sfoichiomatry and Structure. Part 2, Equilibrium
M . J . Sienko, Cornell University, Ithttca, New York. W. A. Benjaniin, Inc., New York, 1964. Figs. and tsbles. 14 X 21 em. Part 1, vi 345 xxpp. $2.95. Part 2, vi 216 xxi pp. $2.95.
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This problem book is published in two parts, the first entitled, "Stoiehiometry and Structure,"thesecond, "Equilibrium!' The author states the two volumes sre designed primarily for self-study but can also serve as a text for problem sssignments. Of the 1001 problems listed, about half have detailed solutions; all except the laat one have answers. Each ohapter is introduced by describing the principles related to the solution of a particular type of problem. Somewhat over one hundred pages of the first volume are devoted to s review of mathematical operations. Included in this section is a discussion of trigonometry and analytical geometry which is applied to problems in crystal structure. The more classical meas of chemical cslculations are then considered. The treatment of stoichiometry, chemical equations, and the gas lews is partieuldy comprehensive. Chapters on the gram atom and the mole are notable for their lucidity and freedom from excess verbiage. A chapter on liquids contains several excellent problems
-Reviewed
on vapor pressure, an area too often neglected in manu& of t h k type. A section on non-stoiehiometry and defect structures is a featureof the chapter dealingwith solids. The first volume concludes with three chapters covering thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and solutions in that order. The chapter on Thermochemistry includes a brief discussion of AH; calculations involving entropy or free energy changes do not appear here or elsewhere. Failure to introduce concentration units prior to electrochemistry complicates the discussion of oxidation potentials and the Nernst equation. The final chapter contains a rather perfunctory treatment of callegative properties of 8oiutions. The second volume covers in s. very logical manner the calculations associated with various types of equilibria ordinarily included in a general chemistry course. Gaseous equilibria, weak electrolytes, and slightly soluble aalts me treated in considerable detail. The only significant omissions are in the ares. of coordination chemistry; no problems on complex-ion equilibria are considered. The inclusion of chapters on pH, buffers, and acid-base titrstion curves makes this volume a. v d ~ ~ in richer uahlv inljunrc co H P ~ T PXIIII).P* q u ~ l ~ r n t ior w quxntit;,~isrnnai~rig. Tlat all excrllmt d b u s Ins1 rilitlnrr runt;~~n* sion of simultaneous equilibria; calculations involving the hydrolysis of salts are
in this Issue
M . J . Sienko, Freshman Chemistry Problems and How to Solve Them Kenneth B. Harvey and Gmdd B. Porter, Introduction to Physical Inorganic Chemistry M . B. Watson and G. W . Youngson, Constitutional Problems in Organic Chemistry George Somovsky, Free Radical Reactions in Preparative Organic Chemistry Petr Zuman, Organic Polamgraphic Analysis Gel-ald W .King, Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure C. Sandorjy, Electronic Spectra and Quantum Chemistry H a r y Margenau and George M . Mu~phy,The Mathematics of Physics and Chemistry. Volume 2 David Pavk, Introduction to the Quantum Theory H. J . M . Bozuen and D. Gibbons, Radioactivation Analysis M . J. Wells, editor, Spectroscopy R. E. Dodd, Chemical Spectrosoopy F~ankC . Andrezus, Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics James A'. Butler, Solubility and pH Calculations E. F. Cadin, Fast Reactions in Solution F . P . Dzuyer and D. P . Mellor, editors, Chelating Agents and Metal Cheletes New Volumes in Continuing Series
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Journal of Chemical Mumfion
emphasized. A feature of this volume is the attention given to approximation methods of salving equilibrium problems. The text is written in an informal, conversational style which should make it both interesting and intelligible to the student. Some teachers, either became of habit or inability to be other than austere, may feel that the author has gone a little too far in his use of rolloquialisms. University of Connecticut Stows Introduction to Physical Inorganic Chemistry
Kenneth B. Harvey and Gerald B . Porter, University of British Columbia, T-ancouver, British Columbia. AddisonWesley Publishing Company, Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 1963. x +437 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $9.75. The course in inorganic chemistry beyond the introductory freshman course probably has resisted standardization most completely of all the major areas of chemistry. Almost everyone concerned with undergraduate curricula, recognizes the need far a course in inorganic chemistry beyond the freshman year and the necessity far utilizing physiral chemical concepts, data, and theory in the presentation of this course. However, there haa been no agreement on what particular concepts of physical chemistry should be presented, whether they should be presented in the inorganic or the physical chemistry course, at what state of the undergraduate curriculum they should be presented, and whether the presentation of these principles shall be as an end in itself or as the basis of a nystematic treatment of inorganic chemistry. The object of the present text is clearly stated in the preface. "The theoretical aspect of science has progressed with the experimental so that it is no longer necessary to treat introductory inorganic
mental atomic and molecular properties. Our objective is to emphasize the principla underlying chemical phenomena rather than the phenomena themselves There is more material than can be accommodated in the average ane-year course of study. . . . There is no systematic treatment of descriptive chemistry.. However, a surprising amount of this material is covered, although from a different point of view." The authors feel that this deficiency may "be adequately compensated for by an accompanying laboratory course." The text consists of ten chapters: introduction, ionic cyrstals, atomic stmcture, thermochemistry, molecular structure, transition metal complexes, crystal chemistry, thermodynanice, solutions of electrolytes, and rates and mechanisms of reactions. Each chapter is followed by an extensive bibliography which is divided into two parts: (a) those references which "treat the material of the chapter at the same level as the present text" and ( b )
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