Elements of Physical Chemistry (Glasstone, Samuel)

Samuel Gladstone, Consultant to the. U. S,. Atomic Energy Commission, and David Lends, The City College of. New York. 2nd ed. D, Van Nostrand. Co., In...
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supplement a carefully organized and lucidly written acwunt of "Order in Nature." "The Physics of Television-Vision Beyond Sight," Volume 8, by Donald G. Fink and David M. Lutyens, and "Waves and the Ear--What We Hear and How," Volume 9, by Willem A. Van Bergeijk, John R. Pierce. and Edward E. David.. Jr.. lollnw rhr fnm~limp x t t r m o f thvmtit of t l w ccrit.s. They tt4 the 1,r~nnt.rmuch, hut As in the first edition, the format is HIPO 111ake the i t t q ~ r t a u vmpha.;ir l un how attractive and convenient, the expoeition much there is yet to learn. is clear and easy to follow, and snswcrs Profewx I. Bernard Cohen of Harvard are given to all problems. hits added an interesting historical diI n summary, this reviewer feels that mension to the series with his "The Birth the book is on s. par as a. text with the of a New Physics,', Volume 10. Fortubest of the "standard" physical chemistry nately the subtitle, "From Copernicue to texts. Newton" clarifies the term new. Physics E.C. LINGAFELTER is mechanics. Any time students are led to ask the questions posed by the intellecUniversity of Washington tual giants of the past in the proper conSeattle text, their appreciation of how to solve problems in the present day is heightened. Every college science professor should The Science Sludy Series. Volumes find the time to read these. If hedoesn't. 7-10

REVIEWS

Elements of Physical Chemistry

Samuel Glasshe, Consultant to the U. S. Atomic Encrgy Commission, and Doyid Lewis, The City College of New York. 2nd ed. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, 1960. v 758 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $8.50.

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This second edition of Glasstone's "Elements" is a considerably more extensive revision than many. In addition to quite 8. few minor rewritings of sections and rearrangements and expansions of material, two major changes have been made: the discussion of the properties of gases and of thermodynamics has been moved up to the beginning of the book; and a. cansidersble amount of new material has been added. The shift of thermodynamics has allowed a thermodvnsmic derivation of ria, hut otherwise appears to have only esthetic value. I t has the disadvantage that the discussion of the statistical significance of entropy, etc., must be deferred until a hter chapter, after the discussion of quantization of energy in connection with atomic and molecular stn~cturp. Thin reviewer preferred the arrangement in the first edition, although the content is much improved. New material is scattered throughout the book, but the main new topics, all of which markedly improve the book, are the statistical significance and calculation of entropy, molecular spectra, primary processes and other topics in photochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

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Doubleday & Co., Inc., Garden City, New York, 1959. Available to secondary school students and teachers through Wesleyan University Pres~, Ine., Columbus, Ohio. Figs. and tables. Each volume, 11 X 18 em. Paperbound. Volume 7, 320 pp., $1.45. Volume 8, 160 pp.; Volume 9, 235 pp.; Volume 10, 200 pp. Volumes 8-10 each $0.95. Four more volumes in this welcome series are now available. [See THIS JOURNAL, 37, 54 (1960)l. Volume 7, "Crystals and Crystal Growing," by Alan Holden and Phylis Singer, can be described in one word, "magnificent!" There is no better book for the Science Fair enthusiast. Not only are projects suggested and directions provided, but most importmtly, the beginner will find the hook so fascinating that he will learn some solid state physics before he can stop himself. Clem drawings, imaginative diagrams, and beautiful color photographs

-Reviewed in This Issue Samz~el Glasstone 2nd Datid Tkwi.s, Elements of Physical Ch~mistry. The Science Study Series. Volumes 7-10 Jacob Kleinherg, William J . Argersinger, Jr., and .?mest Griswold, Inorganic Chemistry Robert Kvnin, Elcmenta of Ion Exchange D. H. Ewrett, An Introduction to the Study of Chemical Thermodynamics G. E. Pram&, W . Mnllignn, and A . W o n a l l , Isot,opic Tracers F . Smith and R. Montgomery, Chemistry of Plant Gums and hlurilages and Some Related I'olysaecharides Galen W . Ewing, Invtrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis Edited hy Dael Wolf?,Symposium on Basic Research GEorgr C. Pimentel and Aubrey L. McClellellon, The Hydrogen Bond C. W . Carter, R. V . Coron, D. S. Porsas, and R. H . 8.Thomspm, Biochemistry in Relation t o Medicine Jay A . Young, Elements of General Chemistry Phillip Pollock, Careers and Opportunities in Chemistry

Volume

have!

W.F.K.

Inorganic Chemistry

Jacob Kleinberg, William J . Argersinger, JT., and Ernest Griswold, all of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. D. C. Heath 8- Co., Boston, 1960. viii 680 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 X 24 em. $10.75.

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Almost any textbook designed for use in courses in inorganic chemistry a t the senior and/or first year graduate level is likely to attract immediate attention and be received with excessive enthusiasm. Certainly such was the case upon publication of the well-known and widely-used text by Professor Therald Moeller in 1952. But any authors who attempt to fill this particular need face a grim task. For many yeam there was not a single textbook widely adjudged to be acccptable and courses in inorganic chemistry the country over consequently were subject to wide variations in content that reflected the interests, training, and inclinations of the individual teacher. I n the opinion of this reviewer, the volume hy Kleinberg, Argersinger, and Griswold represents the best wmpromise thus far. The book is well written and there is a consistency of style that is unusual in cases of multiple autharship. The book is well-balanced with respect to choice of subject-matter content; and this is the most difficult task of all. There can be no hesitation whatever in predicting that this book will quickly become the single most widely used test of its kind. Each teacher who uses this or any other similar textbook will, however, have his own characteristic reservations with respect to what is omitted as well as what is included. The following rct~ctions and criticisms therefore should not be construed as derogatory; rather they should be looked upon as inevitable.

37, Number 1 1 , November 1960

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