JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION Reciprocal Relations, (3) Systems of a Single Component, (4) Hent conduction, Electricd Conduction, and Relaxation Phenomena in Continuaun Single Component Systems, (5) Diseantinuous Systems without Chemical Reactions, (6) Discontinuous Systems with Chemical Reactions, (7) Continuous Systems (Diffusion, etc.), (8) Thermo-electricity, (9) Chemistry, (10) The Stationary States, (11) Further Discusfiion on Foundations. Althoueh the mathematical treatment in oarts of the book
relations, and on other advanced or specialized topics. W. F. LUDER N o ~ ~ a s * s ~ zUn~nl v z n s m ~ BOBTON, MABBACROBETTB
TECHNIQUE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. VOLUME
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IV: DISTILLATION Edited by Arnold Weissberger, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, New York. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1951. xxvii 668 p p . 294 figs. 98 tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $14.
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THISbook is a comprehensive, not to say encyclopedic, coverage of distillation theory and procedures. Following an extensive discussion of distillation theory, the main subdivisions are: "Ordinary fractional distillation," "Extractive and azwtropic distillation," "Distillation of liquefied gases and low-boiling liquids," "Distillation under moderate vacuum," "Distillation In most seotione under high vacuum," and "Sublimation." there is a. separate discussion of apparatus and procedure. Both lilrge-seale commercial distillation and small-scale laboratory operations are described, in most of the book the emphasis being on precise laboratory work. The sections of the work have been prepared by a number of authorities yet they have produced s. unified whole. Descriptive material is excellent, and sometimes deceptively simple sppesring-an account of elementary apparatus, which one is tempted to call the same old stuff, being followed by a plunge into thwretical consideration of the most advanced sort. References are cited in great detail, the summaries being well digested and given m sufficient detail so that in many cases reference to the original article will not be needed. To evwone who wants to understand distillation thoroughly, paxticnlarly the research worker wishing to salve a difficult separation problem, and the chemical engineer, the hook should be invaluable. CHARLES D. LOWRY
EVANBTON. ILL~NOIS
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LABELLED ATOMS
Raymond Ghscock. Sigma Books, Ltd., London, 1951. 227 pp. 59 figs. 9 tables. 13 X 19 cm. $1.25.
an elementary background & both chemistry and physics before starting on the book. In the event that he has forgotten many of the details of his background, however, he will still profit by the reding, as the author has explained almost everything with very great care and clmity. A historical approach has been used throughout. Thus one is introduced to the techniques under circumstances of minimum complexity. The author begins hi^ work with a. discussion of the structure of the atom and the nature of radioactivity. Radioactive decay series and the nature of isotopes are explained. The use of tracer isotooes in salvine simole chemical orohlems. such ns in testing the Arrhenius theory of ionization, is taken up hefore proceeding to the more extensive biochemical applications. .4 oloar distinction is shown between problems whieh are sometimes
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handled by tracer isotope techniques hut which could also be solved by chemical methods, and problems which could not be solved by any method were it not for the trao&s. A different type of distinction is made between experiments which are important because they demonstrate the value of a technique and those that me important because of the conclusions. Some space is devoted to the produotion of artificial radioactive and stable isotopes and to their incorporation into the desired compounds. The use of inactive carriers when the labeled suhstance i~ present in minute quantities is explained. The hwk contains excellent line diagrams some of which are used to augment descriptions which are perfectly clear even before one looks at the diagrams. Good generalizations, made wherever possible, help the reader to organize the varied topics which are included. Most of the experiments described are in the fields of medicine and nutrition, hut a few applications in inorganic and anrtlytical chemistry are included as well as some in plant physiology and the value of fertilizers. The early construction of the Geiger counter is described and illustrated, along with several recent types of counters designed for special purposes. The Nier mass spectrometer is similarly described and illustrated although, surprisingly, the earlier spectrometers have not been included. The sensitivity of the m a s spectrometer is compared with that of the counter. Although bearing the publication date of 1951 the hook evidently went to press before the author learned of the discovery of the man-made elements of atomic numbers 97 and 98, berkelium and californium. He stops his periodic table with curium of atomic number 96. This ominsion in no way detracts from a book whieh is s. delightful summary of an important teohnique. The conclusions from biochemical exneriments in which the terhninne . h ~ ~sW I Iuti!ir+dnrr w l l iunlrlwized 1~11,of course, ~ n l y:IS C O ~ plrt~.lya*v:tn l w h w i l . a m311 wl!rue. ~~~
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CATHARINE BERGEN
CLASSICALMECHANICS
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H. C. Corben, Associate Professor of Physics, Carnegie Institute of Technology, and Philip Stehle, Assooiate Professor of Physics, University of Pittsburgh. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1950. xvii 388 p p . 22 figs. 14.5 X 22 cm. $6.50.
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THEclassical theory of mechanics has received more attention than any other branch of physics and its fundamental position with rapect to all other physical theoriefi has long since been taken for granted. Even though its principles have undergone radical revision through relativity and quantum theory, a thorough understanding of its basic ideas is still an essential preparation for all serious research in modern pure and applied physics and chemistry. What is the justification for the appearanoe of a new work in this well-worn field? The authors of the volume under review aim to stress once more the basic assumptions of clarsical mechanics and in addition to point out elewly its limitations. They are prineipslly interested in the subject as s. background to quantum mechanics and their'choice of presentation and subject matter is governed accordingly. A rapid review of the bpies treated will document the statement just made. These inolude I.agrsng.4 equations, scattering problems, linear vector spaces with applications to small oscillations and the kinematics of rigid bodies, transformation theory of mechanics, and the Hamiltonian equntian~,as well as an introduction to the special theory of relativity. The degree of at,tainment required of the student who would study this material with profit is that represented by strong intermediate courses in mechanics and electricity of university grade, or preferably a good introduction to theoretical physics on t h elementary ~ graduate level. The rather sparing use of figures will remind some readers of the celebrated boast of Lagrange in his "Meohmique AnaIvtinne" .- .--..
Since the book contains no discussion of the mechanics of con-
