reviews The Chemical World: Concepts and Applications J. C. K o b M. D. Joesten, J. L. Wwd, and J. W. Mwre. Saunders , Harcourt, Brace and Co.: New York. NY 1994. Figs., tables, and photos. xxiii +I070 pp. 21 x 25 cm This bwk is aimed a t the general chemistry course for science majors. The four authors have each written several texts. Two have develoned extensive chemical education software. The aims and metbods of this attractive and unusual text are set out in detail in the preface. I n brief, they say, standard course ". ..hwks have become longer and longer, and more and mare complex. . . . re-examination of the goals of introductory.. . coursesis long overdue. Only concepts that we believe are truly fundamental to. .basic chemistry bave been included. we bave not introduced a principle. . . unless i t is needed later. . .and unless it is placed in the context of its applications." How much has been trimmed in a b w k of aver 1000 total pages? Alot has been deleted, given that applications are introduced on almost every page and clearly related to the chemistry being developed and that there is an average of close to one color phot* graph per page. These are the salient characteristics of this book. The authors'rationale for omittinesome of what has become usual on hyhrid honds, ligand field, multiple equillbna, and complex knnetier is consistent with their approach. The necraaary cornpromises have been made. For example, Chapter 7, their approach in thermodynamics is to aim directly a t the Gibhs free energy as the point of chemical interest. Heat engines and internal energy are not needed at this level, so they go directly to enthalpy, entropy changes leading to free energy changes. This is done as clearly and simply a s any treatment I have seen. In Chapter 9, on atomic structure, mathematical details of Bohr and Schrdinger treatments are not displayed, hut descriptions of orbitals and the quantum number rules are presented fully, The rest of usual topics are treated with exemplary clarity and carefully related to the copious applications. Many topics are old favorites, but a large proportion are of recent origin and are used to point out fascinating newer applications of chemistry. There are four helpful features. (1) Portrait of a Scientist sketches are frequent and point out relevant human detail. For example, "Fritz Haber" (p 340) relates his important work and the tragic consequences for his nation and himself. (2) Chemistry You Can Do are brief experiments using common materials. (3) The Chemical World and News Features are short descriptions of recent topics in
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industry, nature, and research. (4) The index serves as an extensive glossary with brief definitions of many important terms. End-of-chapter questions and problems are voluminous. Many are over 100 items long and provide a large variety of exercises and emphases. The illustrations are mare than beautiful, far they often clarify the meaning of the subject they accompany. (Ask students what the nicture an n 10 is doine there.) Exercises with available eompuier softwar; and hdeo &scr a& supplied. Many suppunnng materiala including five Saunderti lab manuals are listed. The tone of the book is intelligent, mature, and enthusiastic for our science. The science is current and is expressed in quality modem language reflecting recent international progress. I t should appeal to superior students and be accessible to most college students with reasonable language and mathematical preparation. I commend this text for examination hv all teachers cancwned wnh the problems it addresser. The authors make a persuasive case for [heir approach by executing it in painatakml: d e t d and with exceptional esthetlc appeal.
William B. Guenther Ln versty of the S o ~ t n Sewanee. TN 37383
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A Spreadsheet Workbook for Quantitative Chemical Analysis Robertde Levie. McGraw-Hill: New York, NY. 1992. 151 pp. Figs. 22.5 x 28.1 cm. This workbwk is intended to help the student understand the mathematical relationships and calculations involved in the several t w e s of equilibria encountered in the tmical first course in quantitative a&4ysis. As the author nates, t& spreadsheet exercises presented here are not meant to replace either a textbook or laboratory work, where the basic chemistry is presented and applied. Three chapters are devoted to acid-base, two to redox, and one each to complexation, extraction, and precipitation equilibrium calculations with the emphasis on calculating titration curves and species concentration plots. Same of the equilibria are quite complex, e.g., the pH-dependent redax system of v2+, v3+, V02+,and VOz+-Two additional chapters focus an activity effects and linear least-squares calculations. Each topical section in a chapter begins with a general discussion of theory and formulas and is followed by one or more specific illustrative spreadsheet calculations.
Reviewed in this Issue Reviewer
J. C. Kot: D. Joesten, J. L. Wood, and J. W Moore, The Chemical World: Concepts and Applications RobertdeLevie, A Spreadsheet Workbook for Quantitative Chemical Analysis Alan Lighhnan, Einstein's Dreams Robert L. Weber, Science with a Smile Sidney Harris, From Personal Ads to Cloning Labs: More Science Carloons from Sidney Harris Sidney Harris, edited and annotated by S. N. Arseculeratne, There Goes Archimedes Monographs New Volumes in Continuing Series
A190
Journal of Chemical Education
William B. Guenther Russell Batt George B. Kauffman Laurie Kauffman George B. Kauffman Laurie Kauffman George B. Kauffman Laurie Kauffman George B. Kauffrnan Laurie Kauff man
