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have attempted to present The purpose of this manual is stated by the authors, who ‘ a comprehensive set of exercises which will cover the eleme y field of modern physical a quantitative manner.” The authors further state that there have been new experiments involving modern techniques and the more recently developed apparatus and equipment .” The authors appear to have accomplished their purpose satisfactorily. Forty-seven experiments are described; of these, three are new to the reviewer: namely, one on the dropping-mercury electrode, one on the film-pressure balance, and one on dipole moments. The remaining forty-four experiments are standard ones which have been in use in most courses in physical chemistry for several years. Tlie typography is excellent. The binding is of the “spiral” type, \vith paper covers. The experiments are described clearly and concisely, the same general outline being used for all experiments: Object, Discuesion, Apparatus and Chemicals Required, hlethod of Procedure, and Calculations. Most of the descriptions are good. Readers may be a little surprised to find an experiment on solubility product which contains only a passing reference to the activity product. Thcrc are only two general criticisms that seem important: First, the directions are in too much detail; they appear to be directions for the manipulation of apparatus not set up by the student. Second, the directions for calculations in no case ask for any sort of estimate of the errors involved. Although the authors state in the introduction that they do not feel that a laboratory manual is the appropriate place for a discussion of the theory of errors, an estimate of errors should neverfheless be a part of the report of any experiment. This manual provides a set of clearly written instructions for sufficient experiments for a year’s course in elementary physical chemistry. Those who are seeking such a compilation should investigate this book. U‘.D. LARSOS.
Polarography (Polarographic Analysis and Voltammetry, Amperomelric Titrations). By I. 12. KOLTHOFF A N D J. J. LISGAKE.6 x 9 in.; xvi 510 pp.; 141 figures; 52 tables. Kew York: Interscience Publishers, Inc., 1941. Price: $6.00. This is the first book in English on polarography and it deserves a warm welcome from all who work or intend to work with the polarographic method. -4fter the publication of about seven hundred polarographic papers, mostly in foreign-language periodicals, this book fills R very real need. The reviewer is convinced that it will serve as the standard and reference work for further technical and scientific reskarch in the field. The book is divided into eight parts. The subdivision into chapters and subchapters with separate headings and the complete author and subject index make the material readily accessible. The book is a veritable bibliography of all previous publications. I t is valuable because of the clear presentation of the essentials of these publications, thus eliminating reference to the early literature. The style is concise, lucid, and to the point. The book is dedicated to J . Heyrovsky, the originator of the method and a friend of the authors. P a r t I is a general introduction. Part 11, a comprehensive treatment of the physical chemistry of the dropping-mercury electrode, comprises about two fifths of the book. The theoretical principles are fully treated. A highly interesting chapter on the electrocapillary curve of mercury is included. The controversial subject of the interpretation of maxima is well presented in a separate chapter. Part I11 describes general technique and apparatus and will enable every chemist to use the polarograph efficiently. Part IV, “Inorganic Analysis,” is of great practical importance. Cations and anions are grouped in nine chapters, each ion being treated in a subchapter. Frequent detailed abstracts of original analytical procedures will allow their application without reference to the literature. There is a separate chapter on the analysis of technical materials. It was not within the scope of this book to make this chapter complete. Only those procedures are included which the authors have critically evaluated and unified. The analysis of organic compounds (Part V) is treated admirably in sixty pages in spite of the diversity
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of the material. Part V I comprises biological applications. In view of the growing interest and importance of polarography in biology this chapter is rather short and uncritical. Part \'II, dealing with the subject of voltammetry with platinum microelectrodes, and Part VIII, on amperometric titrations, contain valuable contributions of the authors to these fields. The appendix includes a practical and detailed table of the half-wave potentials of ions in different electrolytes. The print and appearance of the book are excellent. It is heartily recommended t o the analytical and physical chemist and to all who want t o acquaint themselves with polarography. G E R ~ L REED. D
