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reaction with excess potassium iodide and titration with standard thiosulfete. (8)Add one chapter on the theory of physical and ehemied methods of separation including organic reagents. (9) Discuss in some detail the general application of methods studied to the analysis of allays, insoluble silicate and complex,mlfides. (10)Increase the number of assignable problem to at leiat three hundred and thus provide more drill on ( a ) equivalents and change of equivalents in volumetric oxidation and reduction, volumetric precipitation, and volumetrio complex formation; ( 6 ) applications of the Nernst equation to the calculation of the equilibrium constant (K) and of the residual concentrations of the reactants; ( e ) percentage error in volumetric and gravimetric analyses resulting from chemical interferences; (d) varied aspects of electrolytic analysis; ( e ) ertlculi~tianof the chemical formula from analytical data; (f) purely chemical questions of a nonmathematical character. Chemista will look forward to future editions of a text with so many valuable features by authors so well qualified. C. C. MELOCHE
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INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE OF CHEMISTRY
Karol J. Mysels and Chorles S. Copelond, both Associate Professors of Chemistry, University of Southern California. 521 pp. line drawings. 78 Ginn and Co., Boston, 1952. vi tables. 17 X 24 cm. 54.75.
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JUDGING from the advertising literature mailed to professors of chemistry almost daily, one could easily oonclude that there are about as many freshman-chemistry text books as there are freshman-chemistry students. In fact, if the word "student" is taken literally, some would say that the text boob are in the majority. What reason, then, cauld there be for still another text in this field? The authors answer with candor that the approach presented in this text snits them best; they hope that you too may lind their approach useful. Their approach is certainly different. This text could properly be subtitled: "An Elementary Introduction to Physical Chemistry for Students not yet Acquainted with Calculus." The fmt graph appem on page 7; the seven allotropic forms of ice are discussed in Chapter 3. We find catalysts, for once properly defined, an page 169; activated complexes and chain reactions are briefly mentioned in the preceding pages. Titration curves, X-ray and electron diffraction, and other similar topics are treated more thoroughly than usual on other pages. By s. liberal count, only 16 of the 58 chapters are more or less devoid of physie d chemistry, and of these, 9 are devoted to organic chemistry. Those who prefer to emphasize physical chemistry in an intraduetory course will be pleased with the elitrity of presentation and the succintncss of the arguments used in this text. For example, after a thorough preliminary tmtment, the authors present t) = k as an empirical fact, tabulating data for hyPV/(273 drogen, neon, and helium to demonstrate the point; further, they show by tabulated data that this equation does not apply to liquids. Then, by a clear argument of convenience, T is substituted for 273 t. In a later chapter, after the considemtian of Avogadro's principle, it is demonstrated that k = Rn,where R is s simple proportionality constant, whose dimensions depend upon the units used for the other symbols. The awkward equation involving pressure and temperature correction t e r m to be applied to gas volume never rears its unintelligible head. Each chapter is headed by a brief introductory statement and epitomieed by a. summary at the end. The problems after each chapter are pertinent and of graded difficulty. Answers are not given for any of the problems. Thirr text is notable for the absence of the usual historical treatment. Aristotle'e name is not maligned; the Galilean myth about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the unequal weights, and the dawning of the day of experimental science is, fortunately, not repeated here. However, the drama behind Cannizzaro's pro-
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nouncement of Avogadro's principle, the tremendous insight possessed by such men as Dalton, the eccentricities of Cavendish, KekulB's fireside dream, and other similar interesting, not to say inspiring, episodes are not even hinted at in this text. The authors explain this lack by stating that such incidents can neither he properly described nor fully grasped without a great deal of preparation. The disagreement between authors and reviewer e m be simply stated: Can the facts and principles of chemistry heunderstood and appreciated by astudent who knows little of the intelleotnal processes and physical struggles that preceded their discovery and formuletian? We need men who douht the nrinoinles. but not the facts. of our science: and the e&liir we Legin i a &part this desired attitude in the Gaining of such men, the better. The judicial use of the historical method is a great aid to this end. Descriptive chemistry organized according to elements in groups is not present. The authors have delightfully chosen to disouss deseriptive chemistry as ordered to phenomenon and process. Thus, s. single chapter treats of the refining of the common metals from their ores. General DritIoiDl~.similarities and differences are emphasized to the adGantage of the student with no total diminution of the usual concepts covered in an elementary text. The authors have heen very free with actual examples when discussing their phenomena and processes. This text contains no clear statement of tho Brensted theory. Acids me defined as substances which, when added to water, produce an acid solution. Acid solutions are defined as sour-tasting liquids which have the ability to turn blue litmus red. No reference was found to the concept of 8table and unstable n / p ratios in the discussion of radioactivity. The reader never eets an answer of anvsart to the leeitimate auestion. "Whv is radioactivity?" The diagram showing the tra& produced ib a Wilson cloud chamber is misleading, as is the diagram aeeompanying thc discussion on vapor pressure. All in all, if you are looking for a text that is different, and if you think that elementary chemistry can best be taught without reference to a historical background, this text merit,s your critical examination and may earn your approval. ~
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EXPERIMENTAL NUCLEONICS Ernst Bleuler, Professor of Physics, Purdue, and George J. Goldsmith, Instructor in Physics, Purdue. h e h a r t & Co., hc., New York, 1952. xv 393 pp. Jllustrated. 15.5 X 24 cm. 56.50.
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Tms book eonsists of an introduction of three chapters on Radiation Protection, Laboratory Equipment, and Preparation of Sources, followed by three parts entitled General, Chemical, and Physics1 Techniques describing experiments on twenty-four different items, ranging from fundamental studies of the GeigerMiiller counter and other detecting devices, through various activation and radiochemical techniques m d concluding with some of the more involved physical phenomena such as coincidence measurements and cosmic rays. An appendix contains the usual constants and tables as well as a statement of radiomtivity tolerance levels. Adequate author and subject indexea are included and a SegrB chart of nuclei (1948) is contained in a hack cover pocket. The hook is pleasing in appearance and well constructed in matters such ss binding, type, headings, figures, etc. This book ia considerably more than a manual of lahoratory directions, since the directions for each experimental item are preceded by a detailed discussion of the principles involved, frequently occupying several times the space of the actual experiment. This material cannot and does not pretend to substitute for a first text in the field, but in all eases examined it is thorough and well illustrated by figures and tables. The actual experiments usually begin with a careful list or description of the mate-
