beginning students an interest in the science of solid materials." Rock salt is discussed as an introduction to crystalthat between them accommodate one gram lography and the properties of ionic crystals. Goldis used to illustratetheelecof hydrogen ions." Very few errors, typographical or other- tronic theory of metals. Silicon illustrates wise, are to he found. One might question semiconductors and steel exemplifies the subject of mechanical properties. Nickel whether "introducing a vast excess of K f ions" into a chromate solution ensures that oxide is considered as an interesting exam"the observed light absorption can be ple of a. nonstoichiometrio solid, while OD ruby is introduced for its magnetic and limited to undissociated KCrO,." (optical density) is stated to have the di- optical properties important in masers and lasers. Finally, anthracene with its mensions of reciprocal lengbh; being a logarithm of a. ratio, it must be dimeneion- luminescence and photoconductivity is chosen as rtn example of the organic less. solid state. To summarize: this is an entertaining The author states that "the subject of and sometimes useful book, largely nosthe solid state seems t o he particularly talgic, but also quite praet,ieal and thnoghhtimnlating. In closing, I quote neglected in first-year chemistry courses, while properties of gases, liquid solutions Dr. Edisbory: "someone is said to have said, 'You've gat to draw the line some- and isolated small molecules are often discussed in some detail." He says furwhere. Otherwise, where are you going ther that "it is quite possible a t present to draw the line?' " for a. chemistry student to reach his senior GALENW. EWING year a t a university with only a most Selon Hall Universill, superficial knowledge of how solids are South Orange, New Jersey constructed and how they behave." The author hopes "that a student might first read this hook during the Seven Solid Stales second half of his freshman year-after he had learned same elementary thermaWalter J . Moore, Indiana University. dynamics and atomic structure. Then he W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, might use i t again later, as a supplement 224 pp. Figs. June, 1067. xii and tables. 14.5 X 22 cm. $2.95 to his study of physical chemistry and physics." paper, $7 cloth. In Chapter I (Salt) the following topics I n the preface to the book "Seven Solid are discussed: crystal symmetry, point States," the author says that the book groups, crystal systems, Miller indices (Continued o n page A 130) "was written as an attempt to inspire in
book reviews
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A126 / Journal of Chemical Education
book reviews for roek salt crystals, restrictions on crystal symmetry, lattices and crystal structure, X-rays and crystal structure, the Bragg treatment, determination of the structure of roek salt, how the rock salt structure is held together, cryfits1 energies, vibrational energy and infrared spectrum of rock sall, vibrations in an ionic crystal, paint defects in alkali halides, calculation of defect concentrations, defects and ionic mobility, doping for defects, color cent,ers and V-centers. These t,opics are covered in 39 pages and t,his is indicative of the brevity of the t,reat,ment of each topic throughout the hook. If a hook is t o "inspire in beginning students an interest" in any topic, i t would seem that the treatment of each subject should he sufficiently detailed so that the student obtains a reasonable understanding as he proceeds. In the opinion of the reviewer, the brevity of treat,ment of topics in this hook is such that very few beginning st,udents would he inspired by it. Forther, i t would seem that even more advanced stndent,~are likely to prefer x more thorough discmsion of most of the topics included in the book.
Spectroscopy a n d Structure of Metal Chelate Compovndr
Kazuo Nakamolo, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and Paul ,I. McCarLhy, S.J., Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1968. xi 382 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23 cm. $16.95.
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This ueful book reviews the applicat,ions of several forms of spectroscopy to the elucidation of the structure of metal chelate compounds, and the six articles, each by specialists in the field, stay well within these hounds. Topics covered are: visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy, optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism, infrared apectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and, most appropriately today, the book opens with a chapter on X-ray andneutron diffraction analysis (spectroscopy?). Each article begin8 with an introduction to the technique, and then a number of applications to metal chelate compounds are reviewed. The theoretical introduction is usually brief, and cannot be relied upon as a first introduction to the subject a t hand. The principle aim of the book is to review applications, and this is done admirably well. The articles occasionally lapse into the style of the R. L. LIVINQ~TON"Annual Reports" (an average of 232 Purdue Uniuersily (Conlinud on page A l S S ) Lajayetlc, Indiana
A130
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Journal o f Chemical Educofion
