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JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
art in "Recent Advances" is fascinating. Of importance t o many in connection with recent work is the fact that the writer has "borne in mind that some . . . readers are not professed mathematicians." The essential mathematical treatment is present but in such form that all may read with interest and profit. To make r w m for fresh material three chapters of the previous edition are omitted, but even so the later edition contains 75 additional pages. The old material has been brought up t o date and several new chapters added dealing with line, emission band, and continuous emission spectra, the Donnan equilibrium, and flame reactions. The latest work on all the recently discovered elements is included. The subject of cosmic rays is carefully discussed. T o criticize an author's choice of what should appear in a work of this kind is easy hut rather unfair. Things apparently important to one may not seem so t o another. Perhaps the recent theories of the electron have, a t present, slight hearing on chemistry and the mathematics of these theories is undeniably uninviting to many. Nevertheless, the reviewer believes the book would be improved if an elementary treatment of the subject were included. He also regrets that the discussion of Bonhoeffer's work on parahydrogen is not more extensive. The excellence of "Recent Advances" is considerably enhanced by the very ahundant footnotes and references. A good "Chart t o Illustrate the Disintegration Series of the Radio-Elements" is included. This is a book every teacher and advanced student should own. MALCOLM M. HARING
JANUARY.
1931
vania State College. First edition, Volume 1, P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 335 Inc., Philadelphia. 1930. xiv pp. 64 illustrations. 19.25 X 13.25 em. $1.50.
+
This b w k contains the material covered in the introductory course combining chemistry and physics given a t the Pennsylvania State College. All students in the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Education are required to take this course. No distinction is made between chemistry and physics but basic material is selected to illustrate the fundamental aspects of energy and matter. The book is intended to stimulate thinking and relieve the student from taking lecture notes upon the subject matter. The tent introduces general or topical questions in each chapter and is to be used a s reference material t o aid in the discussion of experiments. The experiments are presented by the demanstration-discussion method. Each chapter ends with assignments and suggestions for outside reading. A list of questions stimulates thought and serves t o fix the material by requiring original and independent work by the student. I n the words of the authors "this first volume is an inquiry on the nature of matter and of energy. Its plan is t o lead the student by the most direct path t o the fundamental canceptsmolecules, atoms, protons. electrons, and radiation and thus t o a structural picture qf the basic components of the universe." A second volume will soon be published and will discuss the practical application of these fundamental concepts. A w e y of the material is best indicated by the chapter headings.
UNNBRSTPY OF MASVLAND
COLLBGB PA=% MD.
Matter and Energy. An Introduction by Way of Chemistry and Physics to the Material Basis of Modem Civilization. GERALDWENDT,formerly Dean, and OSCARF. S ~ T RAssistant . Dean, W o o l of Chemistry and Physics, The Pennsyl-
Chapter I . Chapter 11. Chapter 111. Chapter IV. Chapter V. Chapter VI.
A Question of Value;
A Question of Importance; A Question of Perspective ; Things in General; Material Differences; Solidity and Dispersion;
VOL.8, NO. 1
RECENTBOOKS
Chapter VII.
The Effect of Temperature; Chapter VIII. Transformations of Matter; Chapter IX. Pressure in Chaos; Chapter X. Molecules in Motion; Chapter XI. Energy in Waves; Chapter XII. Electrons; Chapter XIII. Positive Rays; Chapter XIV. X-Rays; Chapter XV. Radium; Chapter XVI. Within the Atom; Chapter XVII. The Foundation of Chemistry; Chapter XVIII. What Next? I n the last few years teachers of chemistry have heard a great deal about the subject presented for its cultwal value rather than for technical training. In fact the first text written for students of pandemic chemistry has just been pnblished. "Matter and Energy" has extended the field to cover physics, thus once again emphasizing the rapid disappearance of the boundary line between the two sciences. If a student is to have no other training in these subjects a study of this text will aid him in gaining some comprehension of the modern physical sciences. One wonders however just how much can he accomplished by references to college texts of physics and chemistry without the necessary technical background. The book is well written, the illustrations are excellent, and the publishers have used good paper and provided a suitable binding. Teachers of chemistry will find this book an interesting addition to the reference shelf, not only because of its contents but also as an example of a novel experiment in liberal education. R. N. MAXSON UNIYB-Y or ~ B N T U C ~ Y L=HNOTON, KY.
Optical Activity and High Temperature Measurements. F. M. JAEGER,University of Groningen. George Fisher Baker Non-Resident Lectwer a t Cornell University, 1928-29. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York City, 1930.
203
+ 450 pp.
xi cm.
137 figures.
15 X 23
$4.00.
This reasanahly priced book, considering its size, makes available to a wider audience a series of scholarly lectures delivered by Professor Jaeger a t Carnell University during the second semester of 1928-29 under the George Fisher Baker Non-Resident Lectureship in Chemistry. The introductory lecture, 19 pages, is a general discussion of "The Present and Future State of Our Natural Resources." The other lectures are devoted to asymmetry and optical activity, high-temperature precision measurements, and the stmcture of ultramarine, three fields of research in which Professor Jaeger is an outstanding authority. I n the first section, "Spatial Arrangement of Atomic Systems and Optical Activity," 212 pages, the complex salts are given special attention. The following subjects are discussed: elements of symmetrical figures; Pasteur's law, asymmetric atoms; non-superposable symmetry; symmetry and resolvability of complex salts; structure of inorganic complexes; measurement of optical rotation; various types of complex salts (six lectures); asymmetrical photosynthesis; circular dichroism. The second section, "Methods, Results, and Problems of Precise Measurements a t High Temperatures," 167 pages, is composed of the following chapters: fundamental principles and problems; surface tension; specific gravity and viscosity; electrical conductivity; internal friction; specific heat. The concluding chapter, 39 pages, is on "The Constitution and Structure of Ultramarine." These lectures are a striking example of the value of visiting lectureships in hringing to us authoritative first-hand accounts of research in other laboratories, especially in Europe. This statement applies particularly to Professor Jaeger's discussion of the optical properties of complex salts. a field that has never received much attention in this country, as is shown, for example, by the dearth of references to
