book reviews Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
Samuel H. Maron and Jerome B. Lando, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Macmillan Publishing Co., Ine., New York, 1974. vii 853 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24.5 cm. $13.95.
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This text is a lineal descendent of "Principles of Physical Chemistry," by Maron and Prutton, which appeared in four editions between 1944 and 1965. While the authors state in the preface that "the present volume is considered t o be the first edition of a new book." the fact is that s t least 90% of the new text has been adopted verhatim from the fourth edition of the old. Accordingly, those teachers who have liked the approach of Maron and Prutton in the past will find that the new text retains much of the flavor of the old. The most noticeable change is e rearrangement of topics. Chapters 14-17 of the fourth edition, on atomic, molecular, and nuclear structure, have been moved t o become Chapters 3-6 of the present text, immediately preceding the chapters on thermodynamics. The discussion on statistical mechanics has also been moved forward so as to immediately follow the classical thermodynamics chapters. These changes are in line with the order of presentation preferred by many physical chemistry teachers a t the present time. In the latter half of the text, topics are arranged much as they were in the fourth edition. There is one new chapter, an macramolecules. The various mechanisms of polymer formation are discussed, along with a brief account of polymerization kinetics. Methods of defining and measuring molecular weights of polymers are described. Qualitative descriptions of same physical properties of polymers, such as melt viscosity and stress-strain curves, are given. This chapter would benefit by the additian of a more detailed discussion of condensed-phase polymer structure, perhaps hy making comparisons with the structure of ionic crystals, which is covered in chapter 2.
The strongest chapters in the text are those an thermodynamics, where the treatment is straightforward, detailed, and understandable, with many illustrative examples of thermodynamic and thermachemical calculations. The chapters on atomic and molecular structure are also good. Probably the weakest chapter is that on kinetics. It is short-at 47 pages, shorter than the preceding chapter on the phase rule-and is also confusing to students. Order and molecularity of reactions are not clearly distinguished, and students are led to believe, a t first, that the rate law of a reaction can be written down from the chemical equation. The text continues to use centimeters, grams, and calories, no mention being made of the International System of Units. While this reviewer would he unhappy to see these older units banished entirely from our textbooks, since they form the basis of most of the extant literature of physical chemistry, the almost complete absence of the newer units seems to reflect an overly conservative point of view. At least, some of the problems could have been rewritten using SI units. Gordon 6.Skinner Wright State University Daytoo. Ohio 45431
Solving Problems in Chemistry (With Emphasis on Stoichiometry and Equilibrium)
Rod O'Connor and Charles Mickey, University. Harper and Row, New York, 1914. Figs and tables. x 402pp. 27.5 X 21 cm. $4.95.
Texas A&M
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This problem book is not just a "book of problems." It is a learning experience for any student who will read the, sometimes too lengthy, informative material to which the actual mathematical problem is related.
Reviewed in this Issue r S a m u e l H.Moron and Jerome B. Londo, Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Rod O'Connor and Charles Mickey, Solving Problems in Chemistry (With Emphasis on Stoichiometry and Equilibrium) Richard E. Boznk, Solving Organic Chemistry Problems Charles H. Douis and James E. Rush, Information Retrieval and Documentation in Chemistry Robert M Siluerstein, G. Clayton Bossler, and Terrence C. Morrill, Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds. Third Edition F. W. McLofferty, Interpretation of Mass Spectra, Second Edition N. S. I.macs, Reactive Intermediates in Organic Chemistry Howard V. Malmstodt. Christie G. Enke. Stonlev R. Crouch. and Garv ~-~ Horlick., ~nstrurnen&tion for ~eientist$~ e r i e s . ~ o d u1. l e~ l e e t r o n i c ~~.~~~~~~ Analog Measurements and Transducers.
The methods of salving the many types of problems encountered in the general areas of staichiometry and equilibrium are adequately covered. The theme of relevance presented by the authors should leave little doubt in the mind of the student that the problems have practical application in the area of their interest. In the efforts of the authors to establish relevance in certain areas, some of the background material appears to be excessively lengthy and includes some structures which may be understood only by the better students of a n average class in general chemistry. The format of this problem workbook appears especially appropriate far selfpaced courses hut its easy readability and relevant problems warrant its consideration as an auxiliary self-study book to aecompany any text. Harold L. Bird. Jr. College 01 the Desert Palm Desert. Caiitornia
Solving Organic Chemistry Problems
Richard E. Bazah, California State University, Hayward. Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co., Columbus, Ohio, 1974. ix + 342 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24.5 cm. $5.95. The hook by Bazak is yet another valient effort to respond to the age-old problems encountered hy first-year organic chemistry students. Many students will find "Solving Organic Chemistry Problems" helpful as a supplementary source of problems. A very brief description of textual material is given in each chapter. However, it is understood-and so stated in the prefaee-that the book should be used in conjunction with another text. Answers are provided right after the prohlems. This may be a had feature in so far as some students may merely "see" the answer without really working a t it and thus may he lulled into a false sense of security. Although the preface states that "answers with detail on how to do most problems" are provided, the "haw" may not be sufficient nor so obvious to a struggling student. One may wonder about the pedagogical value of some of the problems. In some cases, the student has to "know" the answer. In other instances, the answers are given with no explanation. Perhaps, it would have been preferable to limit the scope of the problems to the illustration of fundamental concepts which the student would learn to understand by working out the problems. The commendable effort to explain eertain concepts as simply as possible sometimes may result in confusion for the student. A quick perusal of the book indicates some typographical errors. Again to a good student, this will not matter; to a struggling student, . . . . Nonetheless the present manual does explain what the solutions to many of the problems are or how they can be arrived at. Perhaps it is unrealistic to expect a problem solving text to he a hook
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(Continued on page A334) Volume 52, Number 6, June 1975 / A333
