book reviews other hand, the subject of pollution is so familiar that the reader may not he bothered a t all a t this point. Third, has the integration around the energy concept been achieved a t the price of omitting important topics? This is largely a value judgment, but the omissions, while real, do not seem crucial. The numerous effective illustrations are of significant value in the smooth flow of the text. A few errors have slipped through (such as linear SO2 on page 146, and p = pRT on page 490). One might also wish that the Bohr atom could a t last be given an honorable retirement, rather than showing up in pictures of the atom such as Figure 5-4. However these are minor points, and on the whole the writing and illustrations are very well done. Although written as a physical science text, this book deserves a wider audience. It could very well be considered seriously for use in s chemistry course for nanmajors, with an environmental or societal thrust. Although its designation as a text will rob ably inhibit its use by the general public, many intelligent adults could read the book with interest and real benefit. The authors have succeeded admirably in their stated aim of seeking "a balance between relevance and scientific principle." Principles and issues are presented with clarity, and a t paints the reader is urged to come t o his own decision. In this, the authors clearly respect the integrity of the reader. At the same time, by the end of the
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tent the authors do not hesitate t o indicate where they stand, thereby providing a valuable example even for those readers who may differ with the details of the authors' position. Arlen Viste Augustma Collep Siwx Falls. SouM Dakota 57102
Essential Mathematicslor General Chemistry
Robert L. Osburn, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1975. ix + 115 pp. Figs. and tables. 25.5 X 17 cm. $2.95. The student for whom this text is written is best descrihed in the author's preface, when he writes, "I think that "little things" such as powers, roots, unit canversions, and logarithms are, too often, the downfall of beginning students." The author does s superb job of presenting material for these students in six units with the titles "Exponents: Powers of Ten," "Significant Figures," "The Metric System; Conversion Factors," "The Slide Rule." "Logarithms," and "Selected Topics." The last unit includes discussions of hand calculators, direct proportions and slope of a line, inverse proportions, and the quadratic formula. The discussion of hand calculators versus slide rules leaves the slide rule as winner.
Unlike so many supplemental texts on mathematical preparation for freshman chemistry, Dr. Osburn has resisted the temptation of using overwhelming applications from the field of chemistry. He stays with the topic and includes only material relevant to the objective. For this reason, the Table of Atomic Weights and Periodic Chart of the Elements appearing in the Appendix are useless. Useful Appendix entries are logarithm tables, commonly used mathematical formulas, and answers to all prohlems. The method of presentation is such that a student can learn well all the material in the text without assistance. Beginning on a very simple basis, the author carefully defines all terms, and vividly describes and demonstrates each mathematical orocedure. T e r m s and jtatemcnts of importance arc underl~ncd A j t h r t r x l progresses, $1". dent> are continuall, rcmiuded of things learned earlier. An unusually good joh is done in antieipating the use of these mathematical procedures in chemical problems. Nearly every detail frequently mishandled by the average freshman student is carefully and deliberately pointed out. The text is written in a non-technical, conversational language. There is a lot of redundancy, much of which is justifiable and profitable t o students who need the material in this book. They may, however, he sidetracked by the nearly 100 occasions that "i.e." appears in the reading. Nevertheless, the text reads well and students should readily relate t o the author's style. (Continued o n page A2341
book reviews The printing is of questionable quality, hut will not adversely affect the book's utility. The presentation is well spaced and pleasing in appearance. Of the more than 100 examples and 350 problems, only six incorrect answers were detected. There are approximately one dozen typographical and proofreading errors, two of which are very serious. The first equation of the text, the form for scientific notation, is in error, hut students should overcome the error with little delay. Students will require assistance in overcoming the erroneously presented quadratic formula. This book will be of great value to the student who needs ground-level help in effectively using the mathematical techniques covered. By diligently working through the book, he can achieve eampetence and confidence in using them. Edmund C. Shearer Fort Hays Kanrar State Coiiege Hays. Kansas 67607 Analytical Ion Exchange Procedures in Chemistry and Biology. Theory, Equipment, and Techniques
Joseph X. Khym, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee. Prentice-Hall, Inc.. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1974. xii 257 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 23 cm.'$14., paperback.
+
This is a very clearly written text on the
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practical applications of ion exchange procedures to chemical and biochemical operations. The author writes in a very lucid style and presents the basic theory of the ion exchange process without resorting to nnv , mathematics with which the averaee college sophwnurc .;hmld not he familiar. 'The nurhur stales in the I'rt4acr that rheor. 1s kept t o n minimum and rhnt the purpose of the text is to . encourage those investigators inexperienced in the practice of ion exchange methodology t o adapt these time-saving procedures t o many chemical manipulations . . . carried out in the laboratory." The text is also offered "as a 'refresher' source for those who intermittently utilize ion exchange methods." The author is obviously throughly familiar with the use of ion exchangers and does an admirable job of achieving his objectives. The subject matter is presented a t a level which a college student with a year of freshman chemistry and a course in organic chemistry should he able to read without undue difficulty. The format of the teat is well arranged far easy reading and the numerous figures and pictures (many of the former redrawn from the original source) are very helpful in understanding the material presented and are a strong point of the text. The text is also free of any significant typographical errors. The price a t $14 for a paperback copy seems high, but might be justifiable except for the poor quality of the binding. This reviewer's copy came apart during the first readine which. t o sav the least. is annoying a i d greatiy diminishes the usefulness of this book as a reference text. ~
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The author does not attempt anything like a comprehensive treatment of the applications of ion exchangers. He does describe ion exchange methodology very clearly and also applications of ion exchangers in many areas ranging from the aenaration of the alkali metal cations an inoryanlr :herrhanyrrr ro rhr srpnrotion i,f nurlecrides 1,s li,uanrl-rxrhsngr rhromntogmphy on a cation exchanger in tnr C11111) form. His examples are well chosen and help to clearly illustrate the various applications of ion-exchangers. Although emphasis is placed on resin exehangers and hioehemical seoarations. other ion exchange materials and applications are covered. The use of ion exchange celluloses, inorganic ion exehangers, gel-type exchangers, and pellicular exchangers are discussed in Chapter (111). For those topics not eavered in much detail. the reader is referred to an appropriate source of information. This text is recommended to those who wish to use ion exchangers and would like practical advice on how to select a suitable resin, how to pack a column, how t o calculate and make use of distribution coefficients or plate heights, and how to go about selecting suitable operating conditions for a osrticular seoaration. I t should also stimulate investigators in many areas as to how they might use ion exchange materials in their work.
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Jerome W. O'laughlin University of Missouri Coiumbia. Missouri 6520 1
(Continued on page A2361
