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physicochemical determinations are explained in detail. Ionization and neutralization curves are discussed and the essential significance of these curves elaborated. Indicators are considered and both the qualitative and quantitative theories of color change examined. Finally an account is given in this section of the chemical equilibria in molten salts. The phase rule is dealt with in connection with systems of one and two components, and this is followed by a full treatment of phase boundary relationships, including non-electrical phase boundary phenomena and also the phenomena a t electrified boundaries (electroendosmosis, adsorption potential, and electrokinetic potential). In this section colloids are considered as systems of enormous surface. The final section of the book is devoted t o chemical kinetics. Here reactions up t o the fourth order are considered and modern ideas of chemical kinetics are applied t o both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions. A discussion of irreversible potential, including such phenomena as passivity, overvoltage, and decomposition voltage, is developed in the final section. The material included in this very erudite book is presented with remarkable clarity and in a logical manner. The book is, without any doubt, one which will commend itself to students of physical chemistry. The value to students is greatly enhanced by the large number (102) of numerical examples which are given in the text with the solutions worked out in sufficient detail t o enable even a backward student to understand the method. The lack of an index is to be deplored, despite the presence of a paginated contents table. This book is one which can safely be recommended t o students of physical chemistry.
JAMESF. SPENCER. Introduction to Atomic Physics. By HENRYSEMAT. 6 x 8.5 in.; xv f 360 pp.; 34 fig. New York: Farrar and Rinehardt. Price: $3.50. This volume contains one hundred and twenty-seven items concerning our present-day knowledge of matter and radiation. The first chapter gives a few introductory remarks on the modern theory of electricity and magnetism, while the remaining chapters (I1 to VII) cover the following topics: elementary charged particles, electromagnetic radiation, waves and particles, the hydrogen atom, atomic spectra, and electron distribution and the nucleus. The author has succeeded in encompassing the whole field of atomic physics in an exceedingly small space, with the result t h a t the individual topics are condensed into very few pages. Not a word is wasted. If one considers that nearly every one of the hundreds of items mentioned could easily be expanded into a good-sized book, one can realize the fount of information contained in the volume before us. The extent of the field covered necessitated extreme brevity in the presentation of the material. However, some important developments as, for example, Rutherford’s experiments on the scattering of alpha particles are given more space, and in this respect the author has chosen with great care and wisdom the important topics on which modern atomic physics rests. Nuclear physics is dealt with adequately, considering the fact that the aim of the book is to introduce students of physics and chemistry into this particular branch of physics. The short treatment involved in ao many of the topics should give the teacher ample opportunity for expanding the material in his lectures. The book certainly should form a valuable guide and frame-work for the section of physics which i t aims t o develop. The style and presentation are very lucid, and not only beginning students but also the reader who already has a good background of modern physics and chemistry will enjoy reading the book in order to review the topics given. GEO. GLOCKLBIR.
