Idea Bank Collation: A Handbook for Science Teachers (Talesnick

Idea Bank Collation: A Handbook for Science Teachers (Talesnick, Irwin ed.) .... Year of the Periodic Table With a Calendar Honoring the Table's Histo...
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quent, qualitative "microscopic" interpretations of such topics as entropy, phase transitions, and magnetic phenomena which aid in understanding these concepts. The writing style is straightforward and clear with derivations and explanations that are easy to follow. In terms of background material required for the textbook, it is sufficient to have had a conventional introductorv course in nwltivariablr rnlrtrlus and general physin. 'I'hc level uf mathematical cm~plexirynrver strays beyond those hounds. The topia covered are the traditional ones expected for a first time study of thermodynamics in depth. Beginning with an excellent first chapter on terms and definitions, Adkins moves in progression from the Zeroth Law and the concept of temperature through the First and Second Laws and then devotes several chapters to applications of these great generalizations to a wide range of physical phenomena. The Third Law does not appear until the final chapter of the textbook. Much of the treatment of thermodynamic conceots follows an a~nroachfamiliar to anv srvdcnt oi closs~cnlthermodynamics, although thpre are some nwel dwrlopnwnts. Fur example, Adkins intruducrs thc idea of a generalized heat capacity, uses the concept of availability to derive the general conditions for equilibrium and, as expected considering the audience of the hook, discusses work in a much broader context than the usual expansion/electrieal kinds of chemical thermodynamics. The author's most notable development is, after two chapters devoted to the traditional treatment of the Second Law by the Clausius-Kelvin approach, a return to the entropy concept by way of the formalism of Caratheadory. The abstract beauty of this treatment comes through, although I expect many first timers will not see it. There are problems for the student to do and these are collected together at the end of the hook. The choice of problem types runs from the plug in and grind the crank kinds to more challenging ones demanding thought and understanding. The absence of any worked out examples in the text and the lack of answers to the problems will be a disappointment to many. As one might expect of a textbook targeted a t physicists, the emphasisof topics and the choice of examples are suitable to that audience. Standard states, thermochemistry, and chemical equilibrium are either absent or are treated very briefly and it is for this reason of tooic eoveraee rather than aualitv . of the text that I would nor rcronmcnd ir asatprtlr*rk h r a wume in c h c m d thermodynamics. Adkins' hook, however, is a valuable rcsource to a teacher of chemical thermodynamics. I t is always instructive to read an approach to a familiar topic from another point of view. Even more to the issue, reading the hook eave me a eood lesson in the wneral apldirahility of thermudynamics by e r t ~ n d ing my undersunding of rhc rangeof naturd phenomena which comes under its purview. The hook has good treatments of real and ideal heat engines, adiabatic demagnetization, temperature scales, gas liquefaction and higher order phase transitions which are more extensive than one finds in physical chemistry texts. I found Adkins'discussion valuahle ~~~~~~

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to communicating these concepts to students and this is where I expect the book will be of most utility to those of us who teach chemical thermodynamics. C. J. Adkins has written an excellent, comprehensible textbook on introductory classical thermodynamics. Its utility for the chemical education community will he as a reference book for the teacher of chemical thermodynamics. Robelt G. Kooser Knox College Galesburg. iL 61401

Idea Bank Collation: A Handbook for Science Teachers Irwin Talesnick, (Editor), Science Supplies 8 Sewices CO., Ltd., Kingston, Ontario. Canada, 1984. 650 pp. Figs. and tables. 10.5 X 26.5 cm. $28.50 PB. The purpose of this book according to Talesnick is to "give teachers a large comprehensive set of true, tried and tested classroom demonstrations and ideas." The contents were compiled and collated from articles appearing in the IDEA BANK, a section found in both The Science Teacher (the Journal of the NSTA) and The Crucible (the Journal of the Science Teachers association of Ontario). An II)M r a n b e defined as a classroom demunsrration, experiment or another pus. s ~ b l euse for a typical piece of lalrmtmy equipment or overhead projector, etc. The 617 IDEAScontained in this book are divided into five major topic areas-biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, and ohvsics. The maioritv of the IDEASare for rhemiitry, followed hg physics, general s&nre, l,iolum, and earth science. There is n detailed rubjrct index by discipline with the IDEAS alphabetically listed. A subject matter index and an index of key words is also included. These indices make it very easy to find IDEAS for a certain topic. This volume is ouite comolete and useful and, as xuch, woula he a welcome addition w any science teacher's collection whcrhrr for the college, secondary or elrnwntarv lcvrl. Frank Mikan University of Texas at Austin Austin. TX 78712

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Journal of Chemical Educati

SafeStorage of Laboratory Chemicals David A. Pipitone, (Editor). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Somerset, NJ. 1984. xvi 280 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm.

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$55.00.

This collection of papers from an ACS sympmium provides wen-integrated answers to questions about chemical stores: ordering, receiving, storing, dispensing, and dirpming. Authors include well-known Nmnan V. Steerr. Leslic Hrethenck. L. .lewd N ~ h o l l s . Allen C . Macenski, ~ a t r i c i aAnn ~ e d d e n ; Frank L. Chlad, E. Lamar Houston, Jack

Gerlovich, John Bequette, and the editor. There is a concern with laboratories large and small. One chapter deals with an online IMS datahase system for warehouse and inventory management; another describes the Iowa system for eliminating dangerous chemicals from schools. There is useful information on the segregation of incompatible chemicals, on fire protection, and on the handling of spills. Relevant regulatory measures are identified. Experience in the inspection of academic facilities is reported. Appendices cover the new labeling systems for chemicals, a glossary of word processing and microcomputing terms, safety equipment, the flash points of common flammahle liquids, and a chemical storage check list. In short this is a useful book for all who are concerned with chemical stockrooms. I t will he a handy authority far reference by nonspecialists, and the better informed will henefit from a reading. Malcolm M. Renfrew Univenity of Idaho MOSCOW, ID 83643

Maklng S c i e n c e Laboratory Equipment X. F. Careke, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Somerset, NJ, 1983. xiii 273 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $18.95.

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On first receiving this book for review,my immediate reaction was "not another how to make it book for a science laboratory." Indeed this is not just another how to make it type of book. The author has presented in a clear, elementary, well-illustrated manner the techniques, methods and practices needed to produce quality laboratory materials in develooine nations of the world. All too often we in 1'inited ... t6e .~ ~ . States - ~ - fail ~ to ~ realize ~ - the need of educators in economically depressed states of the world. This reference fills a definite niche in the science library. For teachers in developing nations, this work could be as indispensable as a creative mind. Divided into nine chapters, the honk begins hv offerine an introduction to workine with metal, wwd, plastic. and glass. A hnsir I"tn,ducrwn ru rl~rtronicsand principles of clcctricity is also included. The rrodrr IS nasumed to have no prior knowledge of tools or the techniques for working with the materials. Where possible, the author also gives alternatives to a purchased tool by providing the needed directions and olans to make a ~~~

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of the respective areas, complete, detailed, and accurate diagrams, text and materials lists are provided to assist the builder in making tools and special purpose items. Nearly half of the projects in the book can he made solely from scrap materials and salvaged items. For those that do require purchased materials, a chapter dealing with sources of international aid and funding for education is presented. With the lack of money far educational materials even more critical in developing nations, this chapter provides some very important information. This is even more true for the uninitiated teacher in a developing country. Guides to