NEW BOOKS Die Aliialichloridelcktrolyse in Diaphragmazellen. By G. ANGEL. 19 x 13 cm.; 126 pp. Berlin: Verlag Chemie, G. m. b. H., 1933. Price: 12 hI. In this monograph the author has reexamined the whole basis of the theory of the electrolysis of alkali chloride solutions in diaphragm cells. I t is shown t h a t when a true steady state has been established the current efficiency can be expressed as a function of the alkali concentration in the catholyte; the exactness of the relations deduced has been tested by numerous experiments with sodium chloride solutions in cells of the horizontal diaphragm type. Physical properties of the electrolyte have been measured under various conditions, and the density, viscosity, and conductivity of both anolyte and catholyte a t various temperatures are related to t h e alkali concentration of the catholyte. Comparison of the theoretical relations for potassium and sodium chlorides indicates that, starting with solutions saturated a t room temperature, the current efficiency in the steady state should be lower in the former than in the latter case. This conclusion, which is a t variance Tr-ith previously accepted statements, is shoir-n to be borne out by experimental results. The theoretical discussions and experimental results constitute an important contribution t o the study of this complex subject and should prove of considerable value in the further development of technical cells and in the control of their operation. The main conclusions are summarized clearly a t the end of each section of the book, and the experimental data are set out in numerous tables and graphs. H. J. T. ELLISGHAM Die m o d e m e Atomtheorie. Die bei der Entgegennahme des Nobelpreises 1933 in Stockholm gehaltenen Vortrage von W. Heisenberg, E. Schrodinger, and P. A. hf. Dirac. 22 x 15 em.; 45 pp. Leipzig: Verlag S. Hirzel, 1934. Price: 2.50 RLI. This collection of three Nobel lectures on related subjects deals, in succession, n ith the uncertainty principle, n i t h the fundamental conceptions of ir-ave mechanics, and ~ i t the h theoryof electrons and positrons. The subjects are dealt x i t h i n a broad and general n a y , yet in sufficient detail in each case t o hring out the essential features. The advantage which every reader obtains from such a book depends on the mental background n hich he brings t o it, but all physical chemists who are acquainted viith the general notions of generalized coordinates, the quantum theory, and experimental physics will find these profound yet clearly written expositions of considerable interest, and nil1 gain from them a picture of the broad features of certain aspects of modern atomic theory. J. R. PARTINOTON.
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Pjlanzenthermodynamik. By KERT STERN. 22 x 15.5 cm.; s i 412 pp. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1933. Price: unbound, 32 RM;bound, 33.20 R l I . This book is divided into two parts. The first is an exposition of the principles of thermodynamics; the second a description of their application to processes occurring in plants. In the former the author’s stated object is to concentrate on those parts of the subject Tyith a direct application t o plants t o the exclusion of those n.ith little or no bearing on botany, but it is difficult t o see in what respect this object has been achieved. The method of treatment, in fact, appears to be essentially a con1127
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densed version of t h a t of Schottky, L-lich, arid Wagner, hut brevity has been gained only a t the expense of lucidity and accuracy. The best feature of the treatment is the discusdon of the most general physical principles, such as the first and second la17 s of thermodynamics, chemical equililirium, and osmotic equilibrium There is also a good, if out of place, revien of photochemistry, \I hich is not thermodynamics at all The treatment of other topics is less fortunate. For in,ctanc-e, nhereas emphasis is rightlylaid on the distinction hetneen total nork and useful nork (Sutzarbeit), the difference is not clearly defined. Again the nell-knonn formula ohtained for the efficiencj of a Carnot cycle is applied to cycles of other types, for which its validity has not been demonstrated. This error occurs in almost all elementary textbooks, but the present hook is not a t all elementar). In fact the revieaer found it heavier reading than alniost any of the most advanced treatises on thermodynamics. The applications described in the second part of the book are of great interest. I t is explained that, oning to the great experimental difficulty of obtaining accurate thermodynamic data n i t h plant materials. only a low order of accuracy is possihle This being the case, surely a hriefer and easier treatment would have been adequate as x-ell as more attractive. To sum up, the book should interest the reader n hose chief concern is thermodynamics, by shoii-ing the importance of the suhject for botany. I t is, on the other hand, less likely t o attract the hotanid to a study of thermodynamicsthan to frighten him ai$a y from it.
E. A GUGGENHEIV. The S c z c n c e of R a d i o l o g y . Edited by Otto Glaser. 450 pp Baltimore: Charles C . Thomas, 1933 Price: 34 50. This collection of tnenty-five papers o n the various phases of the wience of radiologv is published under the auspices of the -4merican Congress of Radiology and the editorship of Dr. Otto Glaser, v,ho also contributes the first t n o papers on the history of the discovery of Roentgen rays and on the discovery of radium. The succeeding ten chapters are devoted t o x-rays, including one tiv D. L. Webster on Roentgen-ray physics, one b v IT. D. Coolidge arid E. E . Charlton on Roentgen-ray tubes, and one on therapy by U.V. Portniann. Several chapters deal u i t h radium therapy and technique. Xscellaneous chapters treat Roentgen-ray protection, teaching of radiology, and industrial radiology. Leaving therapy entirely, the last two chapters comprise one by A H.Compton on cosmic rays and one by William Seifriz on the mitogenic rays nhich he calls “Gurnitsch” rays. The author is not convincing in his defense of the reality of this much questioned type of radiation. Quantized energy relations are n holly neglected, though evidently important in attempting to decide n hether light of ultra-violet 11ave length may be invoked as a cause of the observed phenomena. The entire collection is highly creditahle t o the contrihutors and to the editor and mill be indispensable to all VI ho are interested in radiotherapy. d. C. LISD ElectroXznetic Phenomena and their d p p l i c a f i o n to Biology arid J i e d i c z n e Bv H ~ R O L D Chemical Society Monograph 15 5 Y 23 5 ern ; 331 pp ; A. A B R ~ M S O NAmerican . 106 figs. Nen T o r k : The Chemical Catalog Companv, Inc , 1934 Price: $7 50 This book nil1 fill a great need in the field of physical chemlstry and of its allies, biochemistry and biophysics The reviener has, for a number of years, heen norking in the field of electrokmetics and has acutely felt the need for a monographic treatment of the literature, n hich, untd this volume appeared, has been scattered
