JOURNAL O F CHEMICAL EDUCATION HIGH-TEMPERATURE TECHNOLOGY Edited by I. E. Campbell, Battelle Memorial Institute. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1956. xiv 526 pp. Figures and tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $15.
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THIS hook, which is the product of 35 contributors from 19 academic, government, and industrial laboratories, presents in three main sections divided into 19 chapters the recent developments in materials which can withstand t,emperatures over 1500' and the means of examining these materials. After a brief introductory chapter, the first main sect,ion comprising over 40 per cent of the text deals with the preparation and properties of refractory materials and includes separate chapters on metals, oxides, carbon and graphite, carbides, borides, silicides, nitrides, sulfides and the new and useful multieomponent systems called cermets. The latter are composed of ceramics (defined here as carbides, nitrides, borides, and silicides as well as oxides) bonded by a metal or alloy. The reviewer found the discussion of these substances to be unusually lucid and rewarding. Alloys in general are not included in this book bemuse they are not stable above 1500'; however, referenoe is made to the importance of aluminidea. Although fluorides, oxyfluorides, oxysulfides, and phosphides may ultimately be found to be useful as refractories, the editor consciously omitted discussions of these materials due to the meager information available. The second and smallest section is concerned with the technique of sintering and the attainment of high temperatures. Because they are adequately described elsewhere, combustion furnaces are not included. However, high temperature quenching furnaces, heating units containing thorium dioxide resistors, vacuum induction furnaces and hot-pressing furnaces are briefly described; while a separate chapter is devoted to a detailed discussion of arc furnaces. Other techniques for reaching high temperatures such as solm furnaces and electronic torches are reviewed. In the final 165 pages the techniques for making measurements at high temperatures are examined. The chapter on temperature measurement includes pyrometry, thermocouples, and the a b d u t e noise thermometer. A second chapter in this section deals with plastic deform* tion above 110O0,creep studies, and hot hardness measurements. The chapter on physical properties includes techniques for determining melting points, phase-equilibriom, thermal and electrical conductivity, and thermal expansion and shack. Finally, high temperature microscopy and X-ray defraction me discussed. This book, which is well printed and easily read, contains many tahles and charts and includes either photographs or diagrams of all of the equipment de-
scribed. Although the material is presented mainly for the engineer, ceramist, and metallurgist, it will be of value for the inorganic and physical chemist. The latter may he disappointed in not finding a chapter devoted to a discussion of bond types or to a theoretical explsnation of why the materials included in this hook are refractories. However, references to recent papers on these subjects will be found in the extensive bibliographies which are found at the end of each section. RICHARD G. YALMAN Amlooa COLLECE YELLOW SPRIN(IB. Om10
ORGANIC INSECTICWES: THEIR CHEMISTRY AND MODE OF ACTION Robert L. Metcalf, Etomologist, University of California, Citrus Experiment Station, Riverside, California. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1955. a 392 pp. Figs. and tahles. 16 x 23.5 cm. $8.50.
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ITIS quite unusual that a hook written primarily for the specialist provides so fascinating reading material also for the general reader interested in modern science. The reason for it is not only the lucid style of the author who well understands how to make complicated chemical structures as well as intricate physiological processes intelligible, hut also the fact that there hardly exists a more thrilling spectacle than the chemical warfare between the world's most advanced beings:
ploys all his ingenuity and the most recent scientific discoveries, the insect responds with immediate mobilization of a marvelous enzymatic defense mechanisms which through genetic selection increase its resistance against lethal poisons more than a thousand times. The book provides a deep insight into the biochemistry of animals and plants, the relation between chemical constitution and physiological action, and also discloses heretofore unsuspected hereditary mechanisms. Man's most recent discovery is the development of "systemic insecticides" which, whon applied to any part of a plant, m e rapidly ahsorbed and tmnslocated throughout the plant system thus making each part of it poisonous to insects. But while the author mentions roots, atems, and leaves as possible entrances for toxicants, he omits to mention the most promising way of application, namely the treatment of seeds which m&kes the ensuing plants as insect-proof as if impregnated at full maturity. He also could have added that we are now in a position to protect even higher animals systemically against insect pests inasmuch as a recently synthesized organic phosphate (O,O-dirnethyl-0,2,4,5-triehlora-
phenyl phosphorothionate) which combines high insecticidal with low mammalian toxicity can be dispersed without harm to the animals in their flesh. The greatest value of Metcalf's book is that it not only covers all known classes of organic insecticides in a. most comprc hensive and systematic way, buh beyond that it elucidates involved biochemical relations in their mode of action. It is very commendable that for each class the mammalian toxicity has also been given. Because of greater attention now being paid to harmful residues, this has become a matter of great legal and practical importance. I t is unfortunate that many structural formulas have been far removed from the corresponding text and that in this shuffling of formulas a most important one, namely meta-systax (XXI), has fallen under the printer's desk. I t also would have benefited the general reader who is not a professional entomologist had insects been identified by their common instead of scientific names. All in all, the book must be recommended highly to all those who are interested in the work of chemists and entomologists and their unexcelled success in the protection of man's health and welfare against his most vicious and most prolific enemies. FRANCIS JOSEPH WEISS
U N I T ~STITEB U OPER&TION~ M18810~ TO Nro~amn* M*n*ao*. Nic*n*a"*
R. D. Brown, Senior Lecturer in General Chemistry, and T. A. O'Donnell, Leoturer in General Chemistry, both of University of Melbourne. Cambridge University Press, New York, 1955. ir 185 pp. 19 figs. 25 tables. 12 X 22 Em. $4.75.
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Tars is a laboratory manual for a firs& year chemistry course in Australian nniversities. It comprises 70 pages on inorganic quantitative analysis, 85 on inorganic qualitative analysis, and 26 on organic chemistry, chiefly identification of compounds, in this order. The section on quantitative analysis includes s. chapter on gravimetric work, and four on volumetric processes. These last deal, respectively, with general principles, neutralization, precipitation, and oxidation-reduction methods. Standard hhoratory exercises are included in each category. The chapters on volumetric malysirr contain very concise presentations of those aspects of chemical equilibrium usually found in American texts on elementary quantitative analysis. Extensive use is made of the LomyBr6nsted theory of acids and bases. The section on inorganic quditative
VOLUME 33, NO. 12, DECEMBER, 1956 analg~inm ~ k r ame of wmimicro tcclrnique, and of qrtelnatic cation identificutiou hv means familiar to mast American teachers of the subject. Mare than the usual degree of emphasis in American texts is placed upon the use of dry-way tests. Anion analvsis is done hv a sim~lified scheme. ~ 6 laboratory e "&direction; and theoretical discussions again are very concise. The subject matter covered, the concise treatment, the apparent expectation that the student needs no ehbbarate introduction to stoichiometry, and the omission of problem work of any sort all suggest that first-year students in the Australian universities me considerably more mature than American freshmen. It is therefore improbable that the book will he eutensively used in American freshman courses. On the other hand it is not sufficiently detailed to be s. very satisfactory substitute for the standard American texts in use in most second-yew courses in andlytical chemistry. The book is clearly written, and the authors do rto excellent job of saying what they have to say with a.minimum of excess verbiage. The one adverse comment which occurs to this reviewer-and it is made with no knowledge of the general price structure in Australia-is that the price of the book seems inordinately high for its size. JOSEPH L. NEAL S m ~ c nU s s~i v ~ n a m r Sunhcna~,Nrw YORR
GAS TURBINES AND JET PROPULSION
G. Geoffrey Smith. Revised and enlarged by F. C. Sheffield. Sidh edition. The Philosophical Lihrary. New York, 1955. 412 pp. Many figs. 14.5 X 22 cm. $15. THE author of the sixth edition of "Gas Turbines and Jet Propulsion" hae produced a book that is useful to: (1) the newcomer to the gas turbine field for general information on the history and recent state of the art, (2) the men who must quickly become acquainted with the work and problems in a special area, such as fuel syatems or metallurgical problems, and (3) anyme who is curious about the application of gas turhines for development of power far road vehicles, locomatives, ships, and stationary power units. This indicates that the scope of this book is very wide, but the author is generous with details in the text and with ohotoermhic illustrations and drawines: .. 'l'hc rcrmry of rhc information prcscntrrl with rwprrr ro jrt propulsion is cviclcnfly limircd only by the clsssificsrion wqulrcments. The reviewer questions whether it ie any longer necessary to sell or promote jet engine propulsion as the author tend^ to do in Chapter I. There might be reason
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to argue with some of the summariz;ed list of 20 "potential advantages of turbine propulsion units as compared witb orthodox reciprocating engine installations." Occasionally the author uses an undefined expression that probably will leave the uninitiated reader still ignorant of the meaning of a. particular sentence. (This may be only the ignorance of an American reviewer with respect to an expression that would he clear to an Englishman.) Discussion in text of a c u t ~ w s ydrawing of an engine component would be less difficult to follow if the numbers design& ing individual parts had been included in the text. Once or twice the system preferred by the reviewer did appear so the text is not wholly consistent in this respect. More credit could have been awarded the American efforts of the past ten years for placing jet engine development where it was in 1955. Generally, Mr. Sheffield should be admired for having the oourage to attempt to cover so much territory in one book, and he should be complimented for completing his self-assigned task so well. PAUL R. WISE
NORTR OLNBTED.OHIO
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Andrew 1. Scarleft, Professor of Chemish.y, Dartmouth College. Henry Holt and 499 names. Co.. New York. 1956. viii 108 figs. M&Y tables. i 6 ~ ~ i 4 Em. $5.50.
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THISbook is based in part upon "Brief College Chemistry" by Richardson and Soarlett (1942). It appears to be a book designed for the terminal, nonprofessional course in generill chemistry. In its 34 chapters it treats the traditional topics in a brief hut understandable fashion. The periodic table and atomic structure are introduced early in the text, followed by oxygen, hydrogen, gases and liquids. Nest, the fundamentals of solutions, equilibrium, and oxidation are covered. Both ion-electron and electron-shift methods of ha.Iancing redox equations are given. Then come the nonmetals, electrachemistrv. and the metals. There are
cause of its nature, it is brief in many places and additional source material may be needed for the ambitious student. The author makes good use of practical exrtmples in order to illustrate the importance of chemistry in the modern world, particularly with the topics in descriptive chemistry. In general, the book handles subject matter with a minimum of mitbmetic. There are on the average slightly over ten discussion exercises per chapter and only two numerical problems per chapter. An appendix gives weights and measures, numeration notations, vapor
pressure of water, solubilities, oxidationreduction potentirtls, a list of chemical price quotations, and a four-place logarithm table. For instructors who seek a textbook for a shorter course, or who wish to use a book that provides a reasonable minimum of material in the fundamental areas, this book d l be of potential interest. W. H. SLABAUGH OREGON STATE C O L ~ E ~ ~ C o n v * ~ ~ r aOneooli .
TEXTBOOK OF CHEMISTRY Edward Mack, Jr., Alfred Benjamin Garrett, Joseph Fredric Haskins, and Frank Henry Verhoek, all of The Ohio State University. Second edition. Ginn and Co., Boston. 1956. ir 654 pp. 366 figs. 8 tables. 17 X 24 em. $6.50.
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INTHE second edition of their popular book, "Textbook of Chemistry," the authors have wisely followed the sound pedagogical practices of the original McPherson and Henderson texts. The balance which is maintained between descriptive matter and chemical principles makes this text as well suited for liberal arts courses as it is for those preparing for careers in chemistry, teaching, medicine, engineering, and related professions. A thorough revision, with many new and improved features, bas been made. .Four 5 of the introductory chapters have been revised. The treatment of atomic and molecular weights has been shortened and simplified. The c h a ~ t e ron nuclear energy has been brought-forward in the hook and integrated with two other chapters on atomic structure. The elements carbon and silicon have been treated in the same chapter in order to better contrast their behavior. A novel chapter which takes up jets, rockets, and explosives has been added. The chapters on organic chemistry have been reduced by one third due to an improved organization. The text concludes with a. challenging account of fuels and power, including a discussion of the thermodynamic efficiency of the steam engine, nuclear poser, and the sun as a main source of energy. The subject matter tthroughout the book has been skillfully organized to build up interest and motivation by leadina the student from the s~ecificto the general and from experimeht to theory. Attention is focused consistently on the evidence for the theories and concepts presented. For example, in the chapter dealing witb rate of reaction and equilihrium, experimental evidence from radioactive tracer experiments is introduced ss evidence to support the principle of the continuance of reaction a t ecluilibrium. Most chapters start with-a brief introduction which calls attention to related information discussed earlier in the book
