NEW BOOKS RIel et Determinisme dans la Phgsique Quantique. By E. MEYERSON, with a preface by L. de Broglie. 50pp. Monograph No. 68 of the scientific and industrial series published by Hermann & Go., Paris, 1933. This volume is t h e first of a group of monographs published under the direction of Professor L. de Broglie on the philosophy of the sciences. These philosophical treatises are t o be part of the large scientific series mentioned. In the present essay the concepts of physical science are discussed in the light of quantum theory. References are given to the author’s own works and t o seven original articles. No headings, no subdivisions, no index, and the discursive style make the volume very slow reading when one considers the difficult subject matter dealt with. GEORGEGLOCKLER.
Wege ZUT physikalischen Erlcenntnis. Reden und Vortrage. By MAX PLANCK. 22.5 x 15 cm.; ix 280 pp. Leipzig: S. Hirzel, 1933. Price: bound, 8 marks; unbound, 6 marks. Professor Planck has collected in this volume eleven lectures, given over a period from 1908 to 1933, in which the central theme is the physical conception of the universe and its reactions on philosophy. The physicist’s picture of the universe has changed during this period very considerably, and in recent times it has seemed t o some that all hope of retaining the law of causality, and of going beyond the purely formal descriptions of events by mathematical methods, would have to be abandoned. Professor Planck, whose own work has been most concerned in this change of outlook in physics, does not adopt this rather pessimistic view, and in this series of lectures he has examined the consequences of each new step in the physical description of events. Thelectures are, in fact, the result of careful thought on the part of a scientist who has always tried to see beyond the narrow walls of the physical laboratory, and the volume is one in which former students of the great physicist will recognize his inimitable command of his subject and the great power of exposition and logical clarity which characterize all his work. The Nobel Lecture on the quantum theory is included. The volume is one of considerable interest and value. J. R. PARTINQTON.
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The Cotton E$ect. By S. MITCHELL. 22 x 13.5 cm.; vii 92 pp. London: G. Bell and Sons, 1933. Price: 7 s. 6 d. The opening chapter of this excellent little book is devoted to a consideration of the fundamental conceptions of refractive dispersion, normal and anomalous dispersion, double refraction, plane,. circular, and elliptical polarization, circular double refraction, anomalous rotatory dispersion, the detection of elliptical vibration, the Cotton effect, and circular dichroism. These terms and the causes of the various phenomena are fully explained, together with an account of the history of the work which led t o their recognition. This is followed by a description of the measurement of absorption spectra. The Hartley method and its modifications are described, as also are the uses of the spectrophotometer and the polarization-photometer. The third chapter is devoted t o theoretical considerations and in this the equations of Sellmeier and Drude, connecting refractive dispersion and absorption, are considered together 1083
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with the modern developments of Kuhn. The measurement of rotation and ellipticity with modern instruments constitutes the subject of the fourth chapter. The work of Tschugaev, Lowry and others on rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism in connection with a number of organic and inorganic substances is dealt with in the next chapter, whilst the final chapter deals with asymmetrical photochemical action. Here many unsuccessful attempts at asymmetric synthesis are described, together with the technique of the author which led t o successful results. The book presents an excellent summary of the present knowledge of the subject and i t can be recommended with confidence. JAMES F. SPENCER.
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The Conductivity of Solutions. By C. W. DAVIES.2nd edition. 21.5 x 14 cm.; x 281 pp. London: Chapman and Hall, 1933. Price: 15 s. Since the first edition of this book was reviewed in The Journal of Physical Chemistry in 1930, it is only necessary to say that the size has been increased by about eighty pages by the inclusion of new material, two extra chapters on the practical applications of conductivity measurements having been added, and several of the sections in the earlier text have been brought up to date by the inclusion of recent work. A brief account of Wien’s experimental method and the results, further investigations on non-aqueous solutions, the dissociation of weak ternary electrolytes, the recent investigations on the viscosity of electrolytes, and a very brief mention of the theory of Gronwall, La Mer, and Sandved are the principal additions. The accounts of the theories are very sketchy and the mathematical side of the subject is neglected. On the other hand, the numerical applications of the equations, which are assumed, are good, and there are useful tables of data. J. R. PARTINGTON. Theoretical Physics. Vol. I . Mechanics and Heat (Newton-Carnot). By W. WILSON. 325 pp.; 80 diagrams. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., 1932. The author covers the usual field of mathematical physics. Chapters I and I1 cover an introduction to vector and tensor analysis, the theorem of Gauss, Green and Stokes and Fourier’s expansion. Dynamics, wave propagation, elasticity, hydrodynamics, and viscous fluids are dealt with in chapters I11 to IX. The kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics take up chapters X and X I and the first and second laws of thermodynamics with applications conclude the volume in chapters XI1 to XIV. The book is written in mathematical language, of course, and the explanatory paragraphs written in ordinary language are short, concise, and reduced to the minimum. Because he uses the concise expressions of mathematics, the author can cover the tremendous fields of human thought outlined above and do i t well in the allotted space. The s‘tudent who wishes to read further about the subject matter will welcome the bibliography added a t the end of each chapter, This volume is the first one of three on the subject of theoretical physics, the second and third volumes are t o cover electromagnetism, optics and relativity, quantum dynamics respectively. The first volume is an excellent treatise on the topics covered and the other volumes of the set will be awaited with great interest. GEORGEGLOCKLER. Lehrbuch der physikalischen Chemie. By KARLJELLINCK. Band IV, Lieferung 3. 25 x 16.5 cm.; xiv 625-890 pp. Stuttgart: F. Enke, 1933. Price: 26 marks. The present issue completes the fourth volume: of the work, and a fifth volume is to appear. The subject dealt with is the phase rule, and the treatment is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive. One- and two-component systems are treated
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