book reviews Descrlptlve Principles ol Chemistry
Hyrnan D. Gesser, The University of Manitoba. The C. V. Moshy Company, St. Louis, Missouri, 1974. xv + 701 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 24 em. $13.95. This is a general chemistry textbook which is intended to "provide a foundation and working knowledge in chemical bonding, thermodynamics, the states of matter, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry." This reviewer feels that Prof. Gesser has admirably met these objectives. Each chapter is followed by references to choice supplemental reading. The language is crisp, there are few instances of gnarled syntax, and. there are no gimmicks. The tenor of the text is one of rigor superimposed on an analysis-synthesis approach. Theory is central, but the boak entertains no mindless taboo which prevents a healthy questioning of, say, the uniqueness of melting temperature. Three chapters on thermodynamics and thermochemistry (not yet in S. I. units) comprise nearly 15% of the text. Thermodynamics is imbued with life; it is not treated as some sort of voodoo. The parts on bonding and on electrochemistry are challenging, and the graphics are clear. Topics such as viscosity and fractional distillation are handled analytically rather than by qualitative description. There is little on colloids, hut osmotic pressure is covered well. The book might not appeal to those afflicted with the silver ehloride-green gas syndrome. The use of "Descriptive" in the title is misleading; perhaps the word should be deleted. The principal shortcomings of the text are as follows. The first portions are so heavily weighted with atomic structure, the periodic table, and bonding that there is little support for the first laboratory work. Ionic equilibria come a t the three-quarter point, rather late. Only about 6% of the pages deal with inorganic chemistry. Ele-
mentary crystal field and ligand field theory, along with the transition metals, occupy only 12 pages. Silicon rates 112 page; mineral silicates are not even mentioned. The synthesis of ammonia is slighted. There is no systematic presentation of radiochemistry, but decay kinetics is handled in the chapters on chemical kinetics. A better choice than HaS could he made to illustrate distribution curves (p. 514). The dissolution Ag3P04 in water fails to consider the hydrolysis of the phosphate ion (p. 517). Superacids are not mentioned. The rare earths are presented only in connection with other topics, such as the Lanthanide contraction and electronic configuration. The index cites Fe, Co, N, P, and B, but not S, Cl, Br, K, Ca, ammonia, or hydrides. A section on the marvelous instrumentation available to chemists today would he welcome in future editions. James C. W a d UnivmHy of Southern Califomis Los Angsks. CA 90007
lnlroducllon to Chemistry
T. R. Dicksan. John Wiley & Sons, Ine., New York, 2nd Ed. 1975. xix 457 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26 cm. $11.95.
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In a review of the first edition of this teat, Kent E. Backart [this Journal, 49, A37 (1972)] pointed out its strong points in some detail. Designed for a ane-semester terminal course, or as s quick overview for students intent on later extended study, it begins its chapters with a helpful list of objectives, and ends them with good questions of all degrees of difficulty. In hetween, are paragraphs written in an easy style with apt analogies and good illustra-
tions. The book is completed with six useful appendices and an index. In this new edition, one finds the same sequence of topics in the same format, presented for the same purposes. Now in 15 chapters, as against the original 13, the same material has been covered. with the addition of new diagrams, new problems, and an increased emphasis on important topics. Although many paragraphs have been expanded in an extensive rewriting, enough others have been compressed t o make the boak size the same. Even the lists of objectives have been scrutinized and changed: now there are "Terns to Know" which accompany them. All of these revisions strengthen the text, for they result from the combined experience of the users of the first edition. After noting these favorable points, can one find any features t o criticize? Yes, if he cares to, for the difficulties are more or Less obvious. No matter how skillful the author. nor how heroic his efforts, it is impossible to do justice t o six branches of chemistry in one short semester. The attempt to cover so much material results in some amazing disparities. Far instance: in Appendix I, a half a page is wisely devoted to a discussion of how t o add and subtract. Yet. in onlv six pages of this same hook (pages 235-2401 we find 3 ronriar inrrod~jcriunto iogsrnhms. p H huffw solurioni. indicators, equihbrium constants, ionization constants, and solubility product. Can that possibly he effective? However, the same criticisms could be levelled a t almost any text of this category. I t is not the author's feult that all-of-chemistry-in-one-semester is a n impossible concept. Grant him the premise that it can be done and ought to be done, and you recognize that he has chosen his topics well. Although no one could reasonably treat more than ten chapters in one semester, it does no harm t o have the other chapters there. The teacher is given a choice of alternatives, and the student who wishes t o read more will be rewarded for his efforts. The book is attractive, thoughtfully designed and carefully proofread. Despite its 30% surfeit, i t is small enough to carry around and use conveniently. One could give an interesting course from it. R a w D. Eddy Tufts UnivsrsHy Medford, &ssachusens 02155
-Reviewed in this Issue Hyrnon D. Gesser, Descriptive Principles of Chemistry T. R. Diekson, Introduction t o Chemistry John R. Holurn, Elements of General and Biological Chemistry. Fourth Edition Philip S. Chen, Entertaining and Educational Demonstrations Dorothy M. Goldish, Basic Mathematics for Beginning Chemistry Leonard Soltrberg, Arurng A. Shan, John C. Sober, and Edgar T Conty, Basic and Chemistry Farrington Daniels and Robert A. Alberty, Physical Chemistry A. Wood, Problems in Physical Chemistry N . H. March, editor, Orbital Theories of Molecules and Solids B. J . Wakefield,The Chemistry of Organolithium Compounds New Volumes in Continuing Series
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Elements of General and Blologlcal Chemistry. Fourlh Edition
John R. Holum, Augshurg College. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1975. aii 565 pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 26 em. $12.95.
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"Elements of General and Biological Chemistry" is the latest edition of a tertbook whose earlier editions have been very popular and widely adqpted. The texthook is a survey of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry (205, 114, and 246 pp, respeetively). Each of the 22 chapters consists of (Continued on page A5221 Volume 52, Number 11, November 1975 / A521
book reviews
aspects, especially, in matching a textbook to the nature of the course intended t o he taught. Donald 8. Phillips Eastern Michigan Unkrs@ Ypsihnti. Mich. 48197
textual material. a brief summarv of the chapter, a selected reading list, and prohlems and exercises. Answers to a few exercises are prcwjded for the rhaptem on inorganic and organic chemistry. Considerable emphasis is given to environmental and health considerations. The text appears particularly well-suited for a full-year course intended for students of nursing and allied health fields. The fourth edition hears a close resemblance t o its previous edition. Some of the more obvious changes (and improvements) are as follows. Section numhers are provided. Red and grey shadings on tables, figures, and chemical formulas greatly improve the readability. Exercises requiring a numerical answer or esmpletion of an equation are new. Chapter 4 contains a new section on the gas laws included especially for those planning to become inhalation therapists. Gas law equations are given, hut no example problems are worked out. Chapter 8 is the new placement of Nonmetallic Elements of the Biosphere. Although its present placement is more appropriate than in the third edition, i t still is not an attractive chapter. I t might be one chapter t o skip if time runs short. Chapters 9-12 are organic chemistry boiled down t o a very compact form. Chapters 11 and 12, for instance, include alcohols, ethers, mercaptans, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carhoxylic acids, esters, and amides. Chapter 12 requires a fourpage Brief Review of its contents. Optical isomers, not discussed in the third edition, are introduced with carhohydrates and go only as far as left- and righthandedness. This is more than adequate and is consistent with the objectives of the hook. Chapters 1620 deal with specialized substances (enzymes, vitamins, poisons, ete.), body fluids, and metabolism. The level of difficulty is a magnitude greater than that of previous chapters, and one might wonder about the student's ability to master the content. It would seem that students who found the first 15 chaoters aopropriate in difficulty would find the metabolism and energetics sections more than challenging. Holum is relatively free of typographical errors. The most serious error noted was omission of the boldface numbers 4 and 5 (P. 375). Boldface numbers 1-3 were difficult to find in the text. "El&nents of General and Biological Chemistry" is available with a student study guide, teacher's manual, and laboratory manual. A set of 41 excellent transparancy masters of some of the more complex biochemical figures in the text is available free of charge t o teachers adopting the text. Holum definitely should he considered for a survey course of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry. The aspects of the hook questioned earlier in this review are somewhat philosophical in nature and are not necessarily intended to he negative criticism. However, one should consider these ~
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Enierlalnlyl and Educational Demonstrations Philip S. Chen. Chemical Elements Puhlishing Company, Camarillo, California, 1974.89 pp. Figs. and tables. 13 X 21 cm. $4.95. This text on chemical demonstrations is organized in the following manner: Color reactions; combustion reactions; photochemical reactions; sound effects; miscellaneous demonstrations; exhibits. The author comments in the preface that some demonstrations are magic-like and are often used by magicians. He further warns users of this material that few of the demonstrations are fool-proof due t o variations in materials and conditions. These concerns should he duly noted hy teachers of chemistry, hut of even more concern t o this reviewer is the need for a substantial warning in the use of many of the demonstrations due t o poisonous or relatively dangerous material in the hands of someone not thoroughly aware of these properties. On the expectation that most users of this text who have access to this review will take any necessary precautions further concern with safety will not be stressed. The section on color reactions constitutes the largest portion of this hook and offers a wide range of demonstrations from sophisticated and relatively complicated systems sueh as the clock reactions, t o very simple reactions which use the color changes obtained from acid-base indicators. Both can he used effectively to gain interest and attention in class or ta amuse and entertain other gatherings. A modest discussion of the chemistry involved follows many demonstrations but such discussion would require substantial amplification by teachers in the classroom for most groups. These demonstrations thus remain an excellent source for class use in the areas cited, especially the oscillating reactions and clack reactions which constitute about 'h of the demonstration material presented on color reactions. The somewhat shorter section on combustion reaction includes many spectacular although relatively hazardous reactions which might be carried out in the classroom under carefully supervised conditions. The instructional value of these is viewed as marginal. The section on photochemical reaction consolidates systems which use light t o cause the chemical reactions t o occur with systems involving ehemiluminescence where light evolution accompanies the chemical reaction. The discussion of the use of sueh demonstrations as lecture enhancers is valid although the chemistry is very complex. The discussion of sound effects again ineludes some relatively hazardous systems hut offers a wide range of relatively enter-
taining reartion.; whose educational value ra r o this reviewer romewhat uncertain. The discussion of miscellaneous reactions includes the preparation of sterno, the use of refractive index of a solution t o cause glass t o "disappear," preparation of Nylon, and the ammonia or HCI fountain. These reactions provide several chemical systems which can he used effectively in the classroom t o introduce, in a perhaps startling way, a topic of interest. Finally, the exhibits section presents a series of demonstrations which can he set up more or less permanently for viewing. Some of these would allow the development of corridor-type demonstrations which have had too little presence in ehemistry. In all I find this a very useful and valuable addition t o the various publications in the area of chemical demonstrations for both high school and college chemistry teachers. For those teachers called upon to presents less formal discussion outside the classroom this offers an excellent basic source of reliable and dramatic demonstrations. George L. Gilbert
asni+on U"i"ePS@ Oranvills. Ohio 43023
Bash Mathematics lor Beglnnlng Chembtry Dorothy M. Goldish, California State University, Long Beach. Macmillan Puhlishing Company, Ine., New York, 1975. r 196 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 23.5 cm. $3.95.
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This reasonably hrief paperback is intended to serve students who wish t o refresh their memory of mathematics and gain experience in applying mathematics to chemistry. Overall this objective is realized providing "Basic" and "Beginning" of the title are kept in mind. The ten chapters, each with problem sets to which answers are given a t the end of the hook, deal in orderly sequence with mathematical topics which commonly cause difficulty for less capable students in introductory chemistry courses. However, the first four chapters which occupy ahout 40% of the text are very elementary, quite labored, and should he mostly superfluous far many introductory chemistry students. Subsequent chapters upon Solving Equations, Reading and Writing Equations, Setting up Problems: Dimensional Analysis, Graphs, and Logarithms are relatively more valuable and include copious examples of worked problems end sets of problems pertinent t o Chemistry. A final chapter, "Special Topics" contains a section on use of a slide rule, which copes quite well with the fact that readers will possess a variety of types of slide rules, and sections on significant figures, and notations of trigonometry and calculus (the last in spite of the statement on page 97,"There is no need for you to he concerned ahout calculus,. .") The latter two seetions are inadequately covered so that their inclusion is scarcely worthwhile. An expanded discussion of significant figures might well have been usefully introduced earlier in the text. Normally, explanations of mathematical
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