LABORATORY EXPERlhfENTS IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS George W. Watt, Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas. Third edition. Mc. Graw-Hill Bwk Co., Inc., New York, 1958. 275 pp. 22 X 28 cm. $3.50. viii
+
THEthird edition of Watt's manual is croserefereneed with the new text "Basic Concepts in Chemistry," by Watt, and the sequence of experiments in Part One corresponds t o the order of subject matter in this text. I n addition t o rearranging the sequence, the author has eliminated some experiments, added several new ones, and revised those which remain from the second (1951) edition. Several experiments have been improved by designing them on the basis of "unknowns," and student report sheets have been shortened wherever possible. The new edition features excellent illustrations by James R. Holmes, u ~ h oalso illustrated Watt's new text. Part One includes four preliminary exercise~and 52 experiments. Among the latter are three experiments on organic chemistry, which were not contained in the previous edition. Most experiments now include an introduction sufficient t o make each experiment a self-contained unit. This enables the instructor t o choose his own sequence in assigning the experiments and renders the manual adaptable to use with other textbooks. Part Two is concerned with qualitative analysis on a macro scale. The only changes from the previous edition are minor ones. Twentv-two cations and ten anions are considered. The appendix includes a complete list of chemicals and other supplies required far each experiment. L A W R E N C E P. E B L I N Orno U ~ l v e n s l ~ r A T H D N 0x10 ~,
The expanded discussions t h a t precede the directions for performing the experiments make each experiment B selfcontained unit. The manual is illustrated by James R. Holme~. The four preliminary exercises and the first 52 experiments, whieh occupy 178 pages, are identical with what is called Part One in the manual reviewed above. Qualitative analysis occupies only 68 instead of 77 pages. (It's semimicro!) Anions precede cations. The manual is erost-referenced t o Watt'a new text, "Basic Concepts in Chemistry." LAWRENCE P. E B L I N On10 UN.VE~~,TY Armma. Onro
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Wallace S. Brey, J r , University of Florida' Appletan-Century-Crofts. Inc., New York, 433 pp. Many figs. and 1958. viii tables. 16 X 2 4 cm. $7.
+
THE complete title of this boak is "Principles of Physical Chemistry. An Introduction t o their Use in the Biologioal Sciences." As the author states in his preface,"This boak is intended to acquaint the biological scientist with the field of physical chemistry and t o indicate how the understanding of physieoehemioal principles sheds light an the behavior of matter. I n addition to the fundamental
of biochemical problems." The bookis intended primarily for a. onesemester course, and the author has the usual problem of deciding whether to t r y to cover the whole field of physical chemistrv in a "oncaover-liehtlv" manner or
effects. Chapter 10 deals with kinetics of chemical reactions and has a good description of ensyme-catalyeed reactions. A chapter on radiation and molecular etructure follows, and the last chapter covers nuclear chemistry. The choice of topics is thus not much different from most books in this field, and the author has done a good jab in presenting the subject matter clearly. At the end of each chapter there is a set of problems, with no answers given, and there are also numerous prohlems worked out in the text. One excellent feature of the book is a rather complete lint of books and articles t o which the student is referred for supplemental information. This boak seems t o he an excellent one for the classes which the author had in mind. Tho material covered in some chapters may correspond too closely with that covered in many courses in qualitative or quantitative analysis, especially Chapters 4 and 5, and some teachers may wish t o use calculus somewhat more extensively. Chapter 6 on oxidationreduction equilibria. is especially good, and throughout the hook biological applications are introduced in a. meaningful way and are closely related to the physicoehemical principles which they illustrate. The physical format of the hook is good, with clear type, good diagrams, and a sturdy binding. The price is rather high hut. perhaps not excessive. A R I L D J. M I L L E R C A R L ~ T OCOGLZRE N NORTHP~ M~~ D NN . EBOTA
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS: AN INTRODUCTION TO EQUILIBRIUM AND SOLUTION CHEMISTRY Therald Moeller, P~.ofessorof Inorganic Chemistry, University of Illinois. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1958. x 550 pp. 2 4 figs. 5 1 tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $6.50.
+
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY MANUAL George W. Watt, Professor of Chemistry, and L. 0. Morgan, Associate Professor of Chemihy, University of Texas. McGrawHill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1958. 262 pp. 21 X 34 cm. $3.50. "COLLEGEChemistry Laboratory Manual" differs from Watt's "Laboratory Exoeriments in General Chemistnr and
ternate procedures involving the use of hydrogen sulfide or thioacetamide are provided for sulfide precipitations. This manual was produced by the thoroughgoing revision of e . similar one by the. same anthors -published urrder another title in 1953. Several experiments have been added, including three on organic chemistry. Many experimentaare now set up on the basis of "unknowns," and student report sheets have been shortened wherever possible. 530
compromise between these extremes. The first chapter on states of matter is followed by one on solutions of nonelectrolytes which includes a good discussion of liquid-vapor and liquid-liquid phase equilibria in binary systems. Chapter 3 deals with thermodynamics and energy relations. In the application of the first law t o physical changes, the fact t h a t calculus is not presupposed makes necessary the presentation of some equations without derivation, hut the discussion of the ideas involved is clear and accurate. I n the discussion of the second law, entropy is also introduced as a definition, a procedure whieh will not make the concept clear to moat students without further work. Chapter 4 on solutions of electrolytes includes sections an the Dohye-Huokel theory, solubility product, complex ion stability constants, and conductance. Chapter 5 deals with acid-base eqhilibria and has a section on physi* logical applications. Next is a chapter on oxidation-reduction equilibria., with an interesting section on biochemical oxidation reactions, followed by chapters on adsorption and surface effects, colloidal dispersions, and osmosis and membrane
TKERE are awerail distinguishing features of Professor Moeller's new hook on qualitative analysis whioh will place it among the two or three most popular texts on the subject. Immediately one is impressed with the unusually clean format. The large type relieved sufficiently with some boldface and the use of generous margins may enoourage students to read the assignments. The author has included in the theoretical section only those topics essential to the teachiny of qualitative analysis for the purpose of integrating descriptive material with ohemical equilibrium and solution theory. Extensive eross-referencing is used to keep the student aware of the relationships among the various topics and of their applications to practical laboratory operations. This text departs from the usual order of laboratory study. Anions are treated first, and in the preliminary experiments involving cations the more simple alkali and alkaline earth ions precede those whose chemistry is more complicated. There are several advantages of this order, most important being that the student has time t o acquire a JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
