RECENT BOOKS CHEMISTRY AND You. B. S. Hopkins, University of IUinois, R. E. Davis, Lane Technical High School, Chicago, Illinois, H. R. Smilh. Lake View High School, Chicago, Illinois, M . V. McGill, Lorain High School, Lorain, Ohio, and G. M. Bradbury, Montclair High School, Montclair, New Jersey. Lyons and Carnahan, Chicago. Illinois, 1939. xii 802 pp. 264 figs. and 17 full-page marginless illustrations, one colored. 13.5 X 21 cm. $1.80. This secondary-school textbook is definitely in unit form. The authors consider the first nine of the sixteen units essential core matrrinl. All of the prinriplrs arc contained in them and illurtrative material rbrrntial to completing any of the follurin~ units. A typical unit contains a full-page survey, a group of "problems," a summary in question form, and a digest of the material covered. Each problem contains generally a few pages of text mitten in a personal conversational style; references t o readings for "pleasure and profit"; a few dramatized incidents which raise chemical questions; "putting chemistry t o work," a title for A and B groups of questions which put chemistry pupils t o work; occasionally a group of numerical problems; "research and activities," a number of suggestions for charts, visits, reports, investigations, experiments, and the like. The book is modern in its approach, rigorous in its application of the scientific method of thinking, and abounding in reference t o the social implications of the topics covered. With almost encyclopedic thoroughness it covers many fields, from allergy to zymase, but it is not a book written for a class of "the underendowed." CREMISTKYA N D YOU is a hook with sufficient material difficult enough to challenge the ability of serious-minded college preparatory pupils, or any real seeker after the principles of elementary chemistry. Electrolytic solutions are studied from the standpoint of Arrhenius, but skilfully so, the authors preparing for later development. The preferred method of representing hydrates [e. g., CUSOI.(H~O).Iis used consistently. Polar and covalence are well explained. Simplified flow-diagrams aid explanation of industrial processes. Many tabulations in the text are real study-aids to the pupil, and the notable collection of twenty-one appendices forms a condensed handbook, Cross references abound. Physiological and organic chemistry are carried beyond the range of most elementary chemistry textbooks. Many points are duplicated, probably for emphasis. The inconsistencies and errors are surprisingly few for such a long hook. The reader would wish for greater sharpness of the halftone illustrations, however. The agricultural scenes are unconvincing, for example. No review would he complete unless favorable mention was made of the seventeen full-page marginless unpaged illustrations in which better detail is shown. Five able intemreters converze on the second person singular.
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TIIEORETICAL QUALITATNEANALYSIS. I. H. Reedy, Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry, University of Illinois. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York City, 1938. ia f 451 pp. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. $3.00. I n this hook the author aims t o supply the beginner with the theoretical and factual background essential to intelligent work in analytical chemistry. I n the theoretical section, which constitutes slightly more than one-third of the hwk, the usual topics are dealt with: the nature of solutions, the colloidal state, equilibrium and the mass law, ionization, applications of the ionic theory (including the precipitation and solution of sulfides),
amphoteric hydroxides and sulfides, complex ions, hydrolysis, reactions and equations (including oxidation and reduction). The descriptive portion is subdivided according t o the conventional groupingsof cations and anions, with additional chapters on dry reactions and on systematic analysis. These subjects are discllssed in a lively and unstilted manner, with occasional flashes of humor, and the author shows considerable insight into the difficulties experienced by the average student. The approach to most of the topics enumerated is along strictly traditional paths. With regard to the apparently still troublesome question of partial vs. complete ionization of strong electrolytes, the author states in his preface, "An attempt has been made t o present both sides in an unbiased way, so that the student will not carry over into later courses an undue prejudice in favor of either theory." I t seems to the reviewer, however, that the treatment of the newer concept is something less than adequate. The essential features of the theory of complete ionization are stated, it is true, together with some of the arguments in its favor. The author then refers t o the activity "theory," and cites data on the activity coefficient, y, of potassium chloride, as calculated hy different observers using different methods, t o show that "the agreement is no better than in the values for o on the basis of incomplete ionization." As a matter of fact, so far as the figures cited are concerned, the agreement among the y values is not nearly so good as between the two values of a obtained, respectively, from conductance and from freezing-point data. But the author neglects t o emphasize the fact that the divergence of these y values must, in the nature of the case, arise from experimental errors alone, while the uncertainty as to the "true" value of a has its origin in a fundamental difficulty with regard to the definition of the degree of dissociation of a strong electrolyte. In subsequent applications and problems, the older concept is retained, for the most part. Several of the topics are dealt with more intensively than is usual in textbooks of qualitative analysis. The chapter on the colloidal state and mechanics of precipitation, for example, includes an unusually thorough discussion of the technic of handling precipitates which tend t o become collaidal. A fresh viemoint is broueht to bear u m n the discussion of reactions and equations; morr stress is placed upon the identification of products than upon thc mere halanving of rquntions, and a clnssifiration of the more impurtarn typrc of reaction is a useful feature of this chapter. The descriptive portion of the book contains a large amount of detailed infohation, with special emphasis upon those reactions which are most useful for the identification of the ions. This section includes, as an unusual feature, the critical discussion of various methods of analysis, where such alternative methods are in use. Thus, for example, four distinct methods of analysis of the aluminum-zinc group are described. The book is evidently not intended to serve as a laboratory manual, however, and does not include specific directions either for preliminary experiments or for analytical procedure. Numerous exercises are given a t the end of each chapter. While those included in the theoretical section are mainly of the conventional type, those which follow the descriptive chapters are exceptionally varied and interesting, and call for careful thinking by the student. The reader who seeks an exposition of modern developments will be disappointed a t the absence of any discussion of atomic structure, of the electronic nature of valence, of the Werner co6rdination theory, or of the Br#nsted concept of acidity. The omission of the first of these topics is perhaps responsible for a rather surprising treatment of the difference between free elements and ions (page 56). from which the student could hardly avoid reaching the conclusion that the hydration of an ion is
mare significant in distinguishing it from the corresponding atom than is its excess or deficiency of electrons. There are several other statements, also, t o which proponents of the modem viewpoints are likely to take strong exception. The treatment of the "salt effect" (page 84) seems especially inadequate; the statement that "solutions have higher dielectric constants than water and are for that reason better ionizing mediums" could scarcely be substantiated, and the whole trend of this discussion appears to point toward the conclusion that the activity caefficient of a salt is increased, rather than decreased, by the presence of a second salt. The expression "uncommon-ion effect," used in this connection, seems ill chosen; and, in the reviewer's opinion, the use of the term "osmotic pressure" t o represent the tendency of a solute t o leave a saturated solution (page M ) , or of an ion t o be discharged upon a metal (page 149). should be allowed to attain an early extinction. Few typographical errors were noted. Although there will undoubtedly be differences of opinion on theoretical points such as those which have heen mentioned, the book contains much that is valuable. It seems best adapted to colleges in which qualitative analysis is taught not as a portion of the second-semester course in general chemistry, but as a distinct subject occupying a t least a full semester; and it will aooeal .. esoeciallv to teachers who desire a thorouzh eexoosition along classical lines, rather than an interpretation of the most recent developments in this field. ARTHUR W. DAVID~ON
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UNIVBRSITY OF KANSAS LAIYLIBNCB, KANSAS
THE PHASERULE AND ITS APPLICATIONS.Alexander Findlay, Professor of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen; revised with the assistance of A . N. Campbell, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Manitoba. Eighth Edition. Long327 pp. mans, Green and Co., New York City, 1938. xv 14 X 21 cm. $3.00.
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The purpose of this hook, as stated in the preface of the first edition, was to explain, in an essentially non-mathematicalform, "as clearly as possible the principles underlying the Phase Rule and to illustrate their applications t o the classification and investigation of equilibria, by means of a number of cases actually studied." Professor Findlay's success in achieving this purpose is perhaps most eloquently attested by the fact that the present edition is the eighth since the original one in 19041 This edition, like its predecessors, contains a rather full explanation of the phase rule, with detailed treatments (in fourteen chapters) of the applications to systems of one, two, and three components. There is also a good thirty-page chapter dealing with some applications to four-component systems. I n general, experimental data and bibliographical references have been brought up to date, while the Appendix, appearing in earlier editions and describing the generally familiar methods for the experimental determination of the transition point, has now been dropped. Evidence adduced from the X-ray investigation of the nature of solid and liquid phases is stressed throughout, but on the whole this latest edition does not differ radically from the seventh and earlier editions. This excellent monograph should find a place in the private library of any professional chemist. I t will serve also as a useful text for short specialized courses dealing with the phase rule and as an invaluable reference baok in connection with the study of heterogeneous equilibria in any general course in physical chemistry. GEORGE S. PARKS STAN.ORD
UNlVBBSlTY
S T m m aU ~ W I V B R S ~CY* ,L ~ O R N I A
RANCIDITY IN EDIBLE FnTS. C. H. Lea, B.Sc.,Ph.D. Chemical Publishing Company of New York, Inc. New York City, 1939. vi 230 pp. 38 figs. 15 X 22 cm. S.W.
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The object of the book is to present an account of the knowledge concerning the development of rancidity in edible fats and
fat-containing foods. Emphasis is placed on the most scientific aspects of the subject with details of methods employed in diagnosis and correction of faults in processing. The book is divided into six oarts as follows: Part I. The chemistry of the fats. (Twenty-five pages.) Part 11. Rancidity, occurrence, and types. (Four pages.) Part 111. The lesser causes of rancidity. (Eight pages.) Part IV. The action of micro6rganism on fats. (Thirtytwo pages.) Part V. The deterioration of fats by atmospheric oxidation. (One hundred twenty-two pages.) Part VI. Rancidity in dairy products and meats. (Twentytwo pages.) The literature, especially that devoted to atmospheric oxidation, has been thoroughly reviewed, evaluated, and summaries have been presented. The comments based on scientific procedure should he a great help to the layman in evaluating the literature in this field. The work, though short, fills a long-felt need for a review of the rapidly expanding literature in the field of fat deterioration. The book is a reprint of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Special Report No. 46, 16 Old Queen Street, Westminster, London, S. W. 1. GEORGE R. GREENBANK
AND EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL LECTURE DEMONSTRATIONS CHEMISTRY.George Washington Muhlemen, D.Sc., Professor of Chemistry, Hamline University. Burgess Publishing Company, Minneapolis, Minn.. 1938. ix 79 pp. 21 X 27.5 cm.
$1.50.
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The author attempts in this volume to combine an outline of lecture material and laboratory experiments for first-year students of college chemistry. He recognizes a serious lack of coordination of lecture material with laboratory procedures in inorganic chemistry, and in this manual he attempts to attack this problem. The book consists of one hundred forty-three relatively short individual experiments covering the topics ordinarily studied in general chemistry. Then comes a "Special Descriptive Circular with a compendious on the War Department"-19l%together bibliography. Then follow tables of mathematics, solubility tables and charts; an outline of "Who's Who in General Inorganic Chemistry." After this the last two pages of the publication consist of qualitative procedures and tests for the cations. No work on anion detection is included. The format of the book is not too satisfactory. While space is an item to be considered, the appearance as well as the usefulness of the manual would be greatly enhanced by two changes which the reviewer suggests, first, that a somewhat smaller type be used, and second, that the space between the lines he somewhat increased. The drawings are satisfactory. One point on which the author is to be complimented is the profuseness of reference material. Throughout the baok appear lists of references pertinent to the topics under discussion. I n addition, there are tabulated the names of great scientists, together with quotations from their writings. These are intended by the author, no doubt, to inspire the student and to impress upon him the value of chemistry in daily life. The author makes a strong plea for lecture demonstrations in place of actual laboratory work by the students. This may be advantageous under certain circumstances. The reviewer finds it difficult to be in accord with this point of view. The author, furthermore, justifies his lack of experiments of a auantitative character on the basis that ". . beglnning students fannot and do not derive sufficient benefit to justify the amount of time they require to perform quantitative work." . . The conclusion. then, is that the manual is best suited to the needs of those students who are taking chemistry for the first time. R. K CARLETON
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