BOOK
REVIEWS
Thermodynomicr
G. .V. Lewis nnd 31. Randall: Revised by K. S . Pitzm and L. Bwwer, both of the University of California, 2nd ed. IlcGraw-Hill Book S e w York, 1961. xii X Figs. :md tables. 16 X $12.50.
Berkeley. Co., Inc., 723 pp. 23.5 em.
Prafrnsors Pitser and Bronm aeknawlrdgr their initial doubts regarding the nisdom of revising Lewia and Randall, doubts ns to a-hether i t might b~ "more xppropriat,~ to leave the masterpiece urichsngrd as a monument to its authors and their em in the development of chemical them~odynilmics." We ran all be grateful that their doubts vere overcome, for this revision, nithout losing the flavor and spirit of the original, hrings thc hook out of the historical museum and places it onre again on the worktable of the practiring chemist who n:znts to use thermodynamics. And, since no hook has ever avoroached
dk?. The original was characterized first by n cavalier attitude ton-ard mathematical rigor and a complete disint~restin the logistructure and beauty of thermodynamics: aecond by n clear and vigorous style; and chiefly by a ronrentration on the use of t.hern~odyasmierelations in the pr:~rtirnl :~ttnrk on chemical problems,
-Reviewed
with a willing.acceptance of arithmetic, graphs, and rough estimates. These characteristics are retained in the revision. With regard to the first, we agree reluctantly that the revisors were wise to keep the unsystematic and ad hoe deriv~tions,even though the typical chemist of 1961 has moro methematical sophistication than his counterpart of 1923; the introduction of elegance would spoil the flavor of Lewis and Randall; and there are other books for those of us who enjoy a systematic logical exposition of the principles Tho revisors have kept the original spirit and style; most of the great passages, such as the chapter on Entropy and Probability, have been kept unchanged and the new material matches the d d in clarity and vigor. What has been eliminated is mainly the final part of the original book in which the thermodynamic data in 1923 were critically reviewed and assembled. Today this is both needless and inappropriate; selected tables of representative da.h for reference and comparison are included in a, few pages of the Appendix. There have also been deletions of some methods of estimation which have been suporseded. There has been a considerable rearrangement of topics in order to include most effectively the new material and the entire text shows small changes and improvements. The chemical potential, and its symbol r , has been admitted on an equal footing with the partial molal free energy; the
in This Issue
G. S. Letria and .)I. Randall, Thermodynamirs, lleviscd by K. S . Pitrer and I,. Brewer .I. F . ('/ifford, Inorganic Chemistry of Qualitative Analysis linlheryn E . I,nuxon, Infrared Absorption ot Inorganic Suhstanees E. H. B. Pirtsch and tho Gmelin Institute, Gmelins Handhurh der Anorganisrhen Chcmir. 8 Auflago. System 20, Lithium, Supplement E. H . B. Pidsch and the Gmelin Institute, Gmelins Handhurh der Anorganischen Chnnie. 8 -4uflage. Sysbem 3, Oxygen H . J . Entel6as nod .l. G. Sharpe, .4rlv:mees in Inorganic Chemistry and Radiochemistry. Volume 2 D. P . G m d h , An Introduction to C ~ o r d i n a t i a nChemistry I. Jf. Iiolthoff and Philip J . Eliring, Treat,ise on Analytical Chemistry. Part 2, A~~slytirnl Chemist,ry of the Elements. Volume 5 Isnne ilsimm,, Thc Wellsprings of Lifc George 1,. Clark, Editor, Thp Enryclopedia of iMicrosropy Chnvles C. 1Vindin.g and Gordm D.Hiatt, Polymeric Materials D. R. Laurence and I f . nt'm&m, Clinical Phsrmarology Reuben E. TYood, Basic Mathemstirs of Srienre and Engineering Charles .V. Reilley, Editor, Advances in Analytical Chemistry and Inetrumcntntion. Volume 1 J . W . Mallin, Crystallization E. H . R.Pictsch and the Gmrlin Institutc, Omelins Handbuch der horganisc.hem Chnnie. 8 Anflage. Systrm 34, Mercury Elvin A. Knbat, l3xpcrimentd Immunorhemistry Louis h'. Ridenour and Willinnt -4. Nierenbcrg, Editors, Modern Physics for t,he Engine~r. Srrond Series
symbol z is now used for mole ( n o longer mol) fraction; in the general disrussion of partid mmolal quantities the symbol I' is used for a general extensive proprrty of a solution, rather t h n the symbol G which has acquired misleading connotations since 1923. But no mnior chaners in notation have been introduced: the four state functions appear, as before, E, H, A and F. What has been added? .4 great d d of material representing our increased k n o d edge of old applications, as in the field of solution thermodynnmies, bolh of nonelectrolytic and electrolytic solutions. .4 great deal of material setttng forth the thermodynamically useful resuks of statistical mechanics, in a vwiety of specific applications, especially to the thrnnodynamic properties of gasne and t o dilute electrolyte solutions. .4 eonsiderahle expansion of the treatment of surfaces and of gravitational and electromagnetic fields, in keeping with increased interest in such systems sinrr 1023. -4 significant addition discussing the new field of irreversible thermodynanlirs. In all of this the revisors have kept the discussion focussed on the application of thermodynamics to chemical problems; they have included methods of rducing data, and empirical generalizations which help in estimating needed valurs. There is, for examplq a splendid chapter devoted mtirely to the methods available for estimating entropies. The book will undouhtrdly rrsunlc its place as s. constant guide and rcference for chemists using thermodynamics in their research, and as a tent.hook and reference for classes in the appliration of thermodynamics to chemistry.
Minneapolis
Inorganic Chemistry of Quolitotive Anolysis 8 . F.
ClZflhrd, Pnrdue University, Lafayette, Indians. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, SFW Jersey, 1961. xvil 515 pp. Figs. and tnhles. 16 X 23 em. $6.95.
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I n recent years it has been widely accepted that the teaching of qualitative analysis far its own sake is a waste of time. Courses in this subject still survive, h o ~ ever, with the excuse that they serve as vehicles far teaching the systematirs of inorganic chemistry. Unfortunately both the topics studied and the lahorntory operations performed are uninteresting, and students naturally gain the impression that inorganic chemistry is doll. Professor Clifford has tried to avoid this result by including material which goes heyond the usual confines of qualitative anaksis. The subject matter of his book covers considerably more material than the title might suggest. Therefore, instructors n-ho are looking far a text for an elementary course in inorganic chemistry might well consider this hook. Volume 39, Number I , Jonuory
1962
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