Physical Chemistry
Mmlin Paul, Harpur College, Endicott, New York. D. C. Heath and Co., Boston, 1962. x + 460 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 24 cm. $8.50.
BOOK
REVIEWS
Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics
L. K. Nash, Harvard University. Addison-We'esley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 1962. ix 118 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 23 em. $1.75.
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This hook is intended t o introduce chemical thermodynamics to the student of freshman chemistry. Included are discussions of the three thermodynamic laws and their "ideal" rtpplications t o thermochemistry, phase and chemical equilibria, and colligative properties. Calculus is used sparingly, and the elements of differentiation and integration are discussedin an Appendix. Consequently, the material is appropriate for beginning students who are concurrently enrolled in the first semester calculus course. The subject development follows the usual path found in textbooks of physical chemistry and thermodynamics, hut the material has been carefully simplified and organized so as to be pelittable t o the beginning student. I t is clear that the author has used his sources well. To the initiate the exposition is lucid and smooth, although a t times one wonders if the author's refreshing style doesn't move too fast for the beginner. Fortunately the arguments whieh involve or lead t o chemical appliratitions take precedence over the rather unexciting gas expansions which fill many more advanced texts. It is very important in introducing an abstract subject at thislevel to convince thestudent that the subject is worth learning, and this the author seems t o have ac-
-Reviewed
complished. Less fortunate, in this reviewer's experience and opinion, is the uae of the Carnot cycle as a central pert of the second law development. Nevertheless, the author has been more successful than mast writers in answering the classic student question: What has the Carnot cycle got to do with chemistry? Minimizing and simplifying the mathematics of thermodynamics is s. difficult problem. I n a neat sidestep of the dilemma of explaining exact and inexact differentials, the author uses the same symbol (p) t o stand for both finite and infinitesimal quantities of hest. This works well until the temperature dependence of entropy is discussed and we are presented with the somewhat peculiar relation
require some explanation. The hook is remarkably free from errors; the only one obvious to this reviewer is in Fig. 26, where it is log z and not its negative whieh is plotted. Included are s set of problems which do not require calculus and an ample table of thermodynamic data. The book should he of considerable help in introducing an useful improvement to the b~ginningcourse. BRUCEH. MAHAN Uniuersity of California Berkeley
in This Issue
I,. K . Nash, Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics Martin Paul, Physical Chemistry Erie Hulehinsa, Physical Chemistry George H. Duffey, Physical Chemistry W. T. Elwell and J . A. F. Gidley, Atomic-Ahsorption Speetrophotometry Bdrge Rak, Elementary Introduction t o Molecular Spectra Gmdm M. Bawow, Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy Gregory R. Choppzn, Experimental Nuclear Chemistry Stamley Raimes, The Wave Mechanics of Electrons in Metals E. G. E. Hawkins, Organic Peroxides: Their Formation and Reactions Cha~lesTanford, Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules Erich Heftmann, editor, Chromatography Joseph 5.Amino, Clinical Chemistry: Principles and Procedures Robert Gould, editor, Borax to Boranes Arthur I. Vogel, A TexGBook of Quantitative Inorganic Analysis Including Element.ary Instrumental Analysis Herhe71 C . B m m , Hydrohoration
To the array of recently published physical chemistry texts, Martin Paul has added a book of modest distinction. It lies between the extremes of rigorous dedication to the modem and the oppasite adherence t o the classical. hut is closer t o the latter. The presentation is fresh and intuitive. Paul's "solution" to the difficult problem of what t o leave out is t o assume that atomic structure, X-ray crystallography, ionic equilibria and nuclear chemistry have now pervaded the introductory course in general chemistry and may appropriately be omitted. His general plan is to demonstrate, whenever possible, the power of the thermodynamic approach. This is done in a pleasingly informal way. Kinetic molecular methods are used frequently, hut these do not reach the "statistical mechanics" level. Thus his second chapter, the Conservation uf Energy, moves in a natural way to a study of the gaseous statute including the ides, of using spectral information to evaluate energy states. The coverage of gas viscosity and thermal conductivity is relatively complete. Here as elsewhere in this book there are descrip tions of important experimental methods. The problems appear t o be very well chosen. Many of them are tsken directly from the research literature. Ansm-ers are given for representative problems, and important examples are worked in the body of each chapter. The fifth cha,pt,er covers both the liquid and the solid state using the common theme of intermolecular farces. This joint coverage is preferable to the complete omission of thesc topics. Thermochemistry comcs next. The development is rather extensive, including, for example, ionic enthalpies of formation and theoretical flame temperatures. The thermodynamic properties of gases and the second law of thermodynamics are developed concisely without extensive elahoration. Vapor pressure is the theme of the next two chapters ~ h i c h deal with phase transitions and then with properties of solutions. Free energy is introduced a t this point, long after entropy. The chapter on Chemical Equilibrium begins with a conventional "law of mass action" development of the equilibrium constant. Thisis, of course, followed by a more rigorous thermodynamic treatment and ultimately reference is made to the use of molecular statitistics. The coverage of Equilibrium far Nonideal Solutions is adequate, but not extensive. The phase rule is illustrated with numerous systems of practical importance, hut with little use of thermodynamics. The treatment of Rates and Mechanisms of Chemical Reaction is eonventionsl excent for the fsirlv comdete considera-
Volume 40, Number 1 , January 1963
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