BOOK REVIEWS The phenomenon Conway is discussing is imporbant and there is no question that there is a quasi-capacitance associated with it, but it is certain to lead to eonfusion to t r y t o make "pseudocapacit,nnce" do double duty. This book contains chapters on Pot,ential Differences a t Interfaces, The Ionic Double Layer, Determination of Reactant, Adsorption, Adsorption of Neutral Molecules, Electrochemical Kinetics, Adsorbed Intermediates, Applications to Selected Problems, The Gas-Metal Interface, and a n appendix on Basic Types of Organic Electrode Processes. The style is pithy but readable and the breadth and level of erudition is remarkable. For just these reasons, however, the book would be unsuitable for a. beginning course in electrochemistry and i t would be hard work for advanced students. As a reference work and, especially, as a n introduction to the literature, it will be i n d i ~ p e ~ a b l e .
FREDANSON California Inslilule of Technology Pasadena Fundamentals of Classical Thermodynamics
Gordon J. Van Wylen and Richard E. Sonntag, both of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1965. xxiii 634 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $8.95.
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A472 / Journd o f Chemical Educotion
This text is designed for ssingle semester or full-year course in introductory thermodynamics. After a threechapter introduction into the definition of temperat,ure and the properties of pure substances, chapters four t,hrough eight follow the basic first and second law analyses. The main advantages to this book lie in chapters nine through fourteen where the authors present numerous applieations. Some of the unique contents for this mechanical engineering text are the inclusion of chapters dealing with mintores, chemical reactions, and phase equilibrium. The authors and their colleagues have undertaken the tayk of unifying the teaehing of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer of whieh this text serves as the first in a series. As this book deals with classical thermodynamics, the area of undergraduate thermal sciences is to be supplemented with an additional text in statistical thermodynamics. One of the more unusual aspects of this book is the symbols which were adopted. As specific and partial mold quantities can provide some confusion to the beginning student, the problem is minimized by simple and consistent symbols throughout the book. Although the text is new, much of the introductory material and applications dealing with cycles and fluid flow are adapted from one of the authors earlier texts, "Thermodynamics." Subsequently, an ample number of problems with varying diflicidty have been included with each chapter. Also, the appendix
problems. The sequence of topics is conventional; however, no major criticisms can be given to t,he order of the mat,erial presented. Also an adequate numher uf illustrations is presented for clarity. The authors are to be commended for their style whieh will he quite readable to the beginning student. I n this regard, however, the mare advanced student d l probably not use the book as a reference. Although a large number of texts on introductory thermodynamics are in print, this book will be of interest due to its varied applications.
Deparlment o j Mechanical Engineering University aj' Tems
Solid-State Chemistry of Binary Metal Hydrides
George G . Libourit*, Kenneeott Copper Corp., Lexington, Massachusetts.
N-.
A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, 1963. xi 139 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $7.50.
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This book of 131) pages appears in the series of monographs on physical inorganic chemistry. The book intends "to introduce the subject of metal hydrides to
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