General Chemistry, Theory a n d Description J. Rex Goates. J. Bevan On,and Eliot A. Butler, Harcoufl, Brace. Jovanovich. New York. New York, 1981. xii 788 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm. $21.95.
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This new general chemistry text uses a two-level format in which a number of topics are first discussed a t an elementary levelearly in the text and then are treated more completely in later chapters. As a result, the first five chapters, about 120 pages, comprise an introductory discussion of atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, acids and hases, oxidation-reduction, equilibria, and gases. Some users of the text may mildly disagree with the material selected for discussion in these first chapters and with the depth of discussion. For example, the equilibrium section briefly touches on the calculation of the hydrogen ion concentration in 0.20 M acetic acid but does not mention Le Chatelier's Principle. These early chapters seem to assume a solid, but reasonable background in high school chemistry. Students with a weak foundation in chemistry may find that the material is discussed too briefly and is covered too rapidly for them to assimilate it. Although dimensional analysis or factor-label is used t o solve problems, there is very little erplanation of the approach t o solving problems by this method. The introductory chapters are followed by chapters dealing with kinetic molecular theory, thermodynamics, phase equilibria, equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetics, atomic structure, bonding, solids, periodic oraoerties. descriotive chemistm.. coordination rhrmirtry, nuclear chernirtry, and organicchrmiutry. Each chapter brgins wlrh n hrief disrussion of lrarning uh~art~ves f i x the chapter and concludes with a summary and a list of important equations developed in the chapter. An adequate number of exercises and problems are included a t the end of each chapter. Answers to all of the exercises are eiven. For the most nart. the exercises are Tair~vconventional. One unioue featwe of the prol;lems sets arr a numhw of ..tiorntiu" problems which iollow the misadventurer of one Ilorntw Le Chatelier S m n h The data in these problems are presented in an amusing, "shaggy dog story" format. In one problem, Horatio is arrested for driving under the influence. Horatio claims that he has not been drinking but has a high blood alcohol level because he had been a t a party and had inhaled the fumes from other people's drinks. The studentsare presented with data which allow them t o determine whether mere inhalation of fumes could be responsible for Horatio's condition. Many of the Horatio problems are imaginative, and nearly all of them are amusing. The text is well written and easy t o read. Althaueh the level of this text is comnarable toother wxffi intended iorsrirncr majors, the t r r t seems to h a w n definite phya~rnlchemistry flavor. The nppronch is straightfurward
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abundance of descriptive chemistry, there are few examples of applications of chemistry to everyday life. If you are looking for a description of the chemistry of the blast furnace, you will not find it here. The authors state in the preface that one of their principal objectives is to present chemistry as a single unified subject. I t is a matter of personal opinion asto how well they have succeeded. They certainly have made a real effort to do so. The descriptive chemistry chapters make use of principles of atomic structure, bonding, thermodynamics, and kinetics t o explain observed properties of chemical species. Another unique feature of the text is a chapter titled, "Review of Descriptive Chemistry." This chapter contains a large number of exercises, with solutions, designed to help the student tie together a body of descriptive chemistry by applying nrincinles discussed in earlier chanters. A student who masters this rhsptrr dmbnhly w d d have a better grasp of desrriptivc inorganic chemistry than do most incuming graduate students. The authors make extensive use of marginal notes (nearly 30 in the bonding chapter) to include, in the author's words, "interesting facts, historical comments, reminders, and qualifying statements that are helpful for detailed study of the material but are placed as asides so as not to interrupt the smooth and logical flow of thought." Unfortunately, although I find the marginal notes to be interesting and informative, I find them distracting and feel that they do interrupt the flow of thought. In summary, this is a well-written, readable. text. Most eeneral ehemistrv instructors wouid find it to ie a usable text. oww well any instructor would like i t would probably be determined, as usual, hy how closely the text fits the instructor's personal style. It certainly merits examination by anyone looking for a new text. Ned A. Dauahertv - . Colorado State University Fort Collins. CO 80523 General Chemistry Principles a n d Structure, S e c o n d Edition, (SI Verslon) James E. Brady and Gerard E. Humiston, John Wiley 8 Sons. New York, New York, 1980. x 779 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm. $21.50.
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A222
Journal
of Chemical Education
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In the aftermath of the revolutionarv, ner i d 01 a decadr ago when my institution of the time had abandoned letter grading fur sttrdtnts in their firxt two yearr, and m y uwn freshman chemistry course was loosened up t o include three textbooks in simultaneous use [seeTHlsJOURNAL, 49,331 (1972)], there was a sudden shift back to more acute awareness of nrofessional and career respmsihilities. The trxthook that seemed best to fit rhis chanced m o d is being reviewed here in its second edition. Of the well over 100 freshman texts in print, of which some two dozen are worthy of consideration for adoption, this text isso far as this reviewer is aware unique in being the onlv one nublished in three dimensions. A suhsrantial numbrr of swrro dluarrstions are rr dr3iyned to help thr student v ~ r o n l ~ronceptr from hyhr~dorbital* t u DNA structure
veniently stored in a-pocket inside the back cover. The 3-D pictures most justify their use in discussions of solid-state packing modes and optical isomers and, in general, are fun for the students to use. Futwe editions might have the stereo figures specially labeled, since the text contains many other side-hy-side illustrations which are meant toshpw changes and are not in stereo. Aside from the new three-dimensionality, we have here a high-level treatment of basic chemistry which is well written and serious in tone. The hook is well produced and illustrated with good economy of style. No previous study of chemistry is assumed. While algebra and logarithms are used, calculus is not. The answers to odd-numbered problems arelisted in an Appendix. An SI edition prepared by H. W. Heikkinen is also available. The text is little changed from the first edition, nor should it be-why argue with success? The typeface (now Trump Medieval), format and paper stock are improved an, there are more exercises a t the ends of the chapters, now divided into questions and ~ r o b l e m s(the oroblems reouire mathemat. ical ansnersl. and the prwblemare indexed accord~ttgtasuhject in case that is not already obvious. After recent experience with the two currently leading texts by Masterton, Slowinski, and Stanitski [5th edition, Saunders] end Brown and Lemay [Znd edition, PrenticeHall], this reviewer would gladly return t o this solid, substantial treatment of general chemistry. J. J. Zuckerman University of Oklahoma
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Norman, OK 73019
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Chemistry (IAC): Reactions a n d R e a s o n s (1978), Diversity a n d Periodicitv 11978). 'Form a n d Function (1978), Communltles of Molecules (1978), Molecules in Living S y s t e m s (1978), T h e Heart of Matter (1980), a n d T h e Delicate Balance ( 1 9 8 0 ) M Gardner and H. Heikkinen.. iEditors). . harper 8 Row. New York. NY. Seven modules ano seven companion teacher's guides. Fngs. and tables 20 5 X 25.5 cm.
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Although the seven modules in the Interdisciplinary Approaches to Chemistry (IAC) are especially designed for an introductory high school chemistry program, I am aware of several colleges which use these in their introductory, nonscience major courses. I have always liked the-IAC program and have used i t for many years with my high school classes. While reading level is comprehensible by even the slower students, the subject matter is presented in such an exciting fashion that even the more sophisticated students enjoyed their use. The modules have been developed independent of each other so as to allow maximum flexibility in developing and scheduling a program that is most effective for your students. The IAC program is full of practical examples, graphic illustrations, and photographs, tasteful and effective humor, timelines to place the science with other events of the times, and excellent experiments and
