book reviews Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics
William G. Douies, St. Mary's College, South Bend, Indiana. W. B. Saunders Ca., Philadelphia, 1972. vi 301 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.3 X 22.6 cm. $4.95.
+
Davies has restricted himself to the molecular and thermodynamic concepts necessary t o understanding chemical equilihrium. Within this constraint, or perhaps as a result of it, the concepts are developed exceedingly well. The hook is written far freshmen. It is not meant to develop the concepts rigorously, rather to make them plausible. In the reviewer's opinion it could be used successfully a t the freshman level and also as supplementary reading a t a more advanced level. Presuming only an elementary knowledge of descriptive chemistry and equilihrium constants the subject matter is developed until, a t the end, a reader is ahle not only to use tables of thermodynamic data to predict the equilibrium constants far many chemical reactions but has a sufficient understanding of quantum-statistical-thermodynamic theory that he can understand why the chemical systems behave as they do and make semi-quantitative predictions when thermodynamic data is lacking. For example, using only a table of bond energies and a knowledge of the molecular contributions to entropy, he should he ahle to predict the equilibrium
A112
/
Journalof ChernicalEducation
constant for the reaction cyclopentane(g) = 1-pentene(g) with reasonable accuracy and predict its temperature dependence. The f m t four chapters are devoted to statistical and quantum concepts and especially how they affect equilibrium. The mathematics of probability is developed as needed. The spacing of translational, rotational, vibrational, and electronic energy levels is analyzed with the aid of the de Broglie wave equation, and minimal mathematics. The presentation is clear and the examples are completely worked. The only criticism I would make of this section is that the Baltzmann distribution law is plucked from the body of "too advanced material for this book" whereas it is a simple matter, using distributions in countable microstates, to show the form which the distribution must have. The thermodynamic state functions relevant to chemical equilibrium a t constant pressure, are developed in succeeding, chapters, first from a molecular point of view and then by showing their relationship to classical thermodynamic heat and work. The effects of energy and entropy on equilibrium are introduced in semiquantitative terms and followed by a very lucid explanation of how and why free energy approaches a minimum as a chemical reaction approaches equilibrium. The discussion of the second law of thermodynamics is very abbreviated. The concept of reversibility and irreversibility is avoided. The usual restriction of reversibility in the relationship between q and A S in an isothermal process is dropped in favor of the
statement "providing a Boltzmann distrihutian is maintained." This reviewer feels the h w k is a very successful attempt t o integrate mlcroscopic concepts, thermodynamic concepts, and equilibrium. For many teachers a major drawback to the book will be that its scope is too limited-essentially, after 300 pages, one arrives a t a very good understanding of gas phase chemical equilibrium but of no other phenomena. As far as this book is concerned ionic equilibria in solution, electrochemistry, and the host of other topics of physleal chemistry which are illuminated by thermodynamics do not exist. Robert C. Plumb Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
Electron Spin Resonance: Elementary Theory and Practical Applications John E. Wertr, University of Minnesota, and James R. Bolton, University of Western Ontario. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1972. xiv + 497 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 17.5 cm. $22.50. Although a number of books on electron spin resonance spectroscopy (esr) exist none has been completely suitable as an introductory text. This new hook seems clearly destined to fill the need. The suhti(Continued onpogeA114)
book reviews tle "Elementary Theory and Practical Applications" aptly descrihes the contents. The book is elementary in that the required background is that of an advanced undergraduate but the treatment progresses in s detailed and systematic way to the level of sophistication required for the understanding of most esr spectra. Much of the necessary material on the mathematics of vectors and matrices and on the quantum mechanics of angular momenta is included in supplementary appendices. The choice of topics is guided by the desire to impart to the reader a working knowledge of the most common types of esr experiments. The treatment is from the point af view of exactly how one analyzes the raw data and then how this refined information is interpreted. In the detailed discussion of examples from the literature the reader is exposed to just those arguments used by workers in the field. Among the topics covered are isotropic spectra, anisotropic interactions in oriented systems and also line shapes in nonoriented systems, the mechanism of hyperfine splittings, triplet states, and transition metal ions. In same cases the discussions seem to stop a bit short but if the reader carries out the excellent problems a t the ends of the chapters many of the holes will he filled in. In keeping with the practical nature of the book, theories of such topics as spin relaxation, double resonance techniques, and time dependent phenomena are not developed in detail but the reader is acquainted with the qualitative nature of the effects and the conclusions derivable from them. References to more detailed treatments are given, of course. The same philosophy is behind the decision (which I cannot fault) to omit discussion of the Bloch equations. A brief but useful discussion of such purely instrumental topics as modulation broadening of lines is given in an appendix. In the whole book only a few minor errors (mainly typographical) were evident. The hook accomplishes its aim most excellently and should prove invaluable t o anyone who wishes, without becoming a specialist, ta use esr or the results therefrom. In addition, the hook is an excellent introduction for graduate students specializing in this technique and will be useful in some areas as a reference for more advanced workers. It is also suitable as a background far any course dealing wholly or in part with esr. I am delighted that such a book is now available. Richard W. Fessenden ~~
~
Carnegie-Meilon University Pittsburgh. Peoosylvania
Experiments in Nuclear Science
Ortee Incorporated. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1971. vi 132 pp. Figs. and tables. 28 X 22 cm. $10.
+
ments and measurement techniques of nuclear science. The experiments illustrate the use of various combinations of ORTEC nuclear instrument modules. In addition to a detector, an oscilloscope and a multichannel analyzer with readout are required for most experiments, although a single channel analyzer may he substituted for the MCA in a few experiments. All but three of the 20 experiments are subdivided into parts, each of which eonstitutes a separate e'xperiment. There are, then, really 63 experiments. Typically, the text material for each experiment includes a few selected references, a list of equipment needed, a block diagram showing the electronic interconnections, comments on the functions of the modules, a statement of the purpose of the experiment, an introduction or a brief summary of the appropriate theory, a procedure, exercises, and examples of the data and results to be obtained. The material is well written and contains relatively few printing errors. The experiments deal mainly with the following topics: Geiger counting; alpha, beta, gamma, and X-ray spectroscopy; Campton and Rutherford scattering; X-ray fluorescence; coincidence methods; neutron activation analysis; and decay schemes. These illustrate the use of surface barrier detectors, plastic and NaI(TI) scintillation detectors, Si(Li) and Ge(Li) detectors, proportional counters and Geiger counters. The manual includes a chart showing the equipment needed for each eaperiment, a periodic table, and a summary of scientific educational equipment grant programs of the federal government. There is also an Appendix containing a list of colleges, universities and institutes that participate in sharing programs for reactor facilities and accelerators; a list of suppliers of neutron sources, radioisotopes and other equipment; a discussion of linear and logic signal standards in ORTEC instrument modules; and a glossary. Many of the experiments are of the type now found in laboratory courses in nuclear chemistry and should be of value for such courses. Selected experiments are suitable for inclusion in courses illustrating instrumental methods of chemical analysis. When used in chemistry courses, the manual should he supplemented by additional material on applications of the methods to chemistry and literature references to examples of the applications. The manual shows clearly how modern instrument modules can be combined to enable the performance of a wide variety of experiments in nuclear science. It should be pointed out, however, that although the individual instrument modules and their bins and power supplies are not major items in terms of cost, the "peripheral" equipment incorporated in the complete instrument system needed for most of the experiments generally includes major items such as the oscilloscope and the multichannel analyzer with readout. In some cases, the detector is also a major item. Herbert M. Clark Rensseiaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181
This laboratory manual contains a series of experiments that provide a familiarity with many of the electronic instruA 1 14
/
Journal of Chemical Education
(Continued onpageAJ16J
