book reviews by a study outline such as Professor B m k s has prepared. As Professor Brescia &tea in his preface to "Chemistry: A Modem Introduction," the book "is written for highly-motivated students who wish to pursue careers tbat require a knowledge of college chemistry hut whose previous education did not afford an opportunity for adequate study of chemistry." It is the opinion of this reviewer that if such a student, assuming he possesses a t Least average ability, were to follow carefully the performance objectives set forth in each chapter of the Guide very little further application would he needed. In any case it should lighten the load of the professor in the introductory course. Carl R. Melny Grand Valley State Colleges Allendale. Michigan 49401
Photochemistry: An Introduction
D. R. Arnold, N. C. Baird, J. R. Bolton, J. C. D.Brand, P. W M. Jacobs, P. deMayo, and W. R. Ware, University of Western Ontario. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1974. vii 283 pp. Tables and Figures. 16 x 23.5cm. $15.00.
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There are many, many introductory textbooks in photochemistry, so it is surprising when a new one makes a unique contribution. This one does. Written by the members of the Photochemistry Unit at Western Ontario, this collection represents the lecture notes from their introductory course and presents many new and well organized insights. The hook eontains 11 chapters. A chapter on Solid State Photochemistry (Chapter 9). and another on Industrial Applications (Chapter 11) are quite different and not found in comparable texts. The hook contains many interesting and useful applications of photochemistry as well. Unfortunately when a hook has many co-authors, it tends to be uneven. This is no exception and, because it was photocopied and not type-set, strange errors have crept in. For example, reference 3, Chapter 1, talks about a bibliography at the end of the chapter. There is none. Free radicals have dots in some chapters, no dots in others, in Chapter 6 (page 148) a pemxyacyl radical has a very strange formula. And, there are duplications from chapter to chapter-the photochromism of 1,3,3-trimethylindolinohenzopyranwas talked about twice, incorrectly on page 244 and correctly on page 265. Proofreading is spotty from chapter to chapter. The 31 references in Chapter 8, for example contained a t least four emrs. Nevertheless, this is a useful textbook. The chemistry graduate student interested in photochemistry is well advised to read it. D. C. Neckers Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
A218
/ Journal of Chemical Education
Ultraviolet-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy Clifton C. Thompson, Memphis State University. Willard Grant Press, Boston, 1914. vi 90 pp. Figures and Tables. 27.5 x 21 cm. $2.95
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This brief paperback book, part of a series of several similar texts, is intended to quickly introduce the reader to one of the mmmonly used instrumental techniques. Its aim is to provide the student with sufficient knowledge to use, understend, and interpret data from, in this ease, an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotameter. Written in the first person the beginning two-thirds of the text defines, in four chapters, various terms relating to electromagnetic radiation, the interaction of radiation with matter, instrument components, and speetroseopic applications. This is followed by fourteen student exercises, with answers, and five laboratory experiments. These are intended to illustrate the principles discussed in the first portion of the text and provide a working understanding of the capabilities of spectrophotometric measurements. The discussion portion of this work is both all inclusive and brief. Important words are underlined, defined, and follow one after another with little additional explanation. The author has skillfully tied these definitions together so that the teat reads smoothly. Simple mathematical formulas are presented along with worked enamples. The latter are helpful as background information in answering the exercises which appear later in the text. Line diagrams illustrating various propagations of electromagnetic rays, atomic energy level transitions, alternate means of representing a spectrum, and other aspects of text material appear frequently. The level of mathematics employed avoids calculus but does include matrix algebra for solution of simultaneous equations in the analysis of multieomponent systems. A list of important terms, their symbols, and the page upon which they first appear located on the inside back cover is mast helpful. A list of references for additional reading is also given. Although the author includes most of the terms relevant to ultraviolet-visible radiation and instrumentation, the treatment afforded each term is sometimes painfully brief. Computer utilization of speetrophotometrie data is, for example, cited and dismissed with a single tm-line sentence. To understand the terms listed, the reader will need either a good deal of prior knowledge or a more comprehensive discussion. Two minor, but annoying, practices are the frequent disregard for significant figures in the numerical examples and exercises and use of the word pipet as a verb in the lahoratory directions. Who will profit from reading this hook? The technician who deals with spectrophotometric techniques and seeks a more complete understanding of the theory associated with spectrophotometry; the student studying spectrophotometry and looking for a condensed presentation of relevant terms and definitions; and, finally, the teacher seeking both a review of principles and a source of practice prob-
lems and laboratory exercises, will all profit from reading this book. On the other hand, the reader for whom spectrophotometry is new will find little explanation beyond the basic definitions of the terms presented. The choice of terms, itself, implies some scientific knowledge concerning electromagnetic radiation and atomic structure, hence some prior exposure to these subjects by the reader is desirahle. Lastlv. the text does not consider practical laboratory aspwtr of spertrophotometric mrasuremenr. Outside of the specific laboratory directions for each of the experiments there are no suggestions for solution preparation, care and operation of instrumentation, eleaningof cells, ete. ~~~~~~~
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Gordon A. Parker
University ot Toledo Toledo. Ohio 43606
Physical Science Readings on the Environment Edited by J e w D. Wilson, Ohio University and Stephen D. Baker, Rice University. D. C. Heath and Co., Lexington, Mass., 1974. i r + 384 pp. Figs. and tahles. 17.5 x 23.5em. $6.95. This volume of readings might be used in conjunction with "An Environmental Approach to Physical Science" by Jerry D. Wilson for those who want to consider eertain topics in greater depth. However, it might also be used alone as the resource text for a course dealing with the environment. The book is a collection of articles arranged in four sections. The first deals with "The Pollution Problem" and includes 13 essays on such topics as smog, air pollution, water stagnation, eutrification of lakes, oil spills, strip mining, DDT, thermal pollution, noise pollution, and protection of the Arctic tundra. The second considers "Abatement and Solutions" with six articles tbat discuss possible solutions to some of our pollution problems. (This section might have been expanded.) The third section covers "Population and Urbanization" in three essays that discuss the future of our country and the world in the light of our proliferating population. Part four, "Energy and Energy Sources," includes seven articles that treat such topics as the earth's heat balance, fossil fuel resources, nuclear fission and breeder reaetors, controlled nuclear fusion, and solar energy. The editors have tried to present a n unbiased and factual view of the euvironment, sometimes presenting opposing ideas and opinions so that the reader becomes aware of controversial issues by looking at both sides. The book does not aim for sensationalism. It does not present a frightening picture of doom and gloom, but neither does it minimize our rather considerable environmental pmhlems. Useful introductory comments are supplied by the editors preceding each article, and a glossary of environmental terms is givenat the end of the book. Doris K. Kolb
Iilinols Central College East Peoria, Illinois 61611
