BOOK REVIEWS Resolution Mass Spectroscopes (H. E. Duckworth and 8. N. Ghoshal), and Vacuum Techniques (H. A. Tasman, A. J. H. Boerboom, J. Kistemaker) are exceptionally well written and in some cases contain previously unsvailable information. The book should he of value to the novice as well as to the expert in most areas of mass spectrometry. I t should he pointed out that the book is useless if one wishes to learn techniques for interpreting mass spectral data. This latter subject has been left for future authors to cover adequately.
D m Chemical Cwnpany F~amingham,Massachusetts
Complexation in Analytical Chemistry
Anders Ringbom, i h o Akademi, Abo, Finland. Chemical Analysis Series, Volume 16. Intencience Publishers (a division of John Wiley and Sons, 395 pp. Ino.), New York, 1963. x Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. 515.
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After Schwarzenbach-in connection with complexometric titrations-had introduced the u- and @-coefficientsto fscilitate the theoretical treatment of camplexequilibria it was Ringbom who, in many publications, greatly promoted the development of the concepts of side resctions. The excellent hook under consideration gives an ttuthoritatively written account of the present state of this concept m d contains much matetterial beyond that previously published. One of the key sentences in the preface the reader is expected to be states: capable of developing detailed procedures on the basis of a few fundamental principles." In this respect the reviewer is, so to say, in philosophical disagreement with the author. Although it might he the ultimate goal to precisely develop a complete analytical scheme on paper, the real situation-at least at the preeent time--is somewhat different. Via calculations one may get a fairly good idea of the general and adequate conditions but final judgment can only be made after an experimental run. Unless the "new" method is an obvious analogue to an existing procedure, one has to be a. pretty lucky fellow to get the experimental results exactly as calculated. Usually there will be some difference between theory and practice which leads to the conclusion that not all the equilibria actually present have been considered, or that the constants used are not known with the necessary degree of accuracy. Further investigations must be conducted and after new data are gathered the complete recalculation may agree with the experimental findings. Philosophical disagreements notwithstanding, the way to perform these oal-
culations is described in the book with rare clarity and in logical development. The volume is equally well suited as a text in classes and far self-study. The multitude of examples, carefully chosen and calculated in detail, will be of great help. I t is well demonstrated how to reason in order to decide what neglections might be allowed so that the calculations me simplified without undue loss of accuracy. To digest the chapter of applying the concepts of aide reactions to acid-base equilibria (a new development) may require some extra effort and not only from a beginner. Since it is now common practice to treat acids as proton complexes, the handling of bases as hydroxo complexes s e e m logical. Then, however, the partial dealing with the datz on the basis of Br$nated's concepts causes some difficulties. But these difficulties mttv well be considered as stimulating and- thoughtprovoking. Formulas (39) and (41) on page 57 seem to have each a "2" missing as eoefficient or the text leading to the formulae is not clearly written. But neglecting such minor items, as a fint edition, the hook is surprisingly free of misprints. Besides being an excellent introduction into the field, the hook will be indispensable to anyone engaged in this sort of work because of the 80 pagea of tables. Not only is a critical selection of constants listed but the data. have been used to calculate side reaction coefficients for numerous equilibria. These tabulations will save many hours of work. Further data. of this kind are scattered throughout the book in the form of clear, graphical presentations. Anyone interested in complex reactions, whether from a theoretical or more practical point of view, should have this volume on his book shelf, ready for frequent and beneficial consultation.
H. FLASCHKA Georgia Institute of Teehnolagy Atlanta
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Physical Geochemistry
F. Gwda Smith, University of Toronto, Canada. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Massachuaetts. x 624 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $15.
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Among the mast perplexing and challenging problems in science today me those dealing with the origin, history, evolution, and structure of the earth, and its environment and of the chemical and physical forces acting within it. The field of geochemistry embraces the chemical approaches to the solution of these problems. Geochemistry has developed significantly from the largely descriptive approach of Goldschmidt, whirh involved the distribution of major and minor chemical constituents within the earth. Geochemistry as a modern science, or perhaps I should say, as an experimental science, can be said to date from the establishment, in (Crmtinued on page A876)
BOOK REVIEWS 1905, of the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution, where experimental physic$-chemical studies of rockforming oxide and silicate systems were initiated in earnest. Since this time, and especially during the postwar period, experimental geochemistry ha. flourished and been extended to more complex silicate and oxide systems, under hydrothermal conditions and a t increasing higher P-T conditions. In addition radiochemistry has sided the Earth Scientist immensely through its applications to geochronology and study of natural isotope distribut,ion. We should mention alao the more recent development of physical organic geochemistry. The title of Professor Smith's n e v book is, therefore, somewhat misleading in that he does not attempt to cover all aspects of what might really be called Physical Geochemistry. The hook is devoted entirely t o those aspects of experimental physiral-chemistry which relate t o the melting and crystallieation of rocks and the deposition of minerals, in the tradition of the Geophysical Laboratory. Part I of the book (156 pages) deals with a cwsory review of some of the physical and chemical properties of phases, systems, and processes. There is a short chapter dealing with each of the topics: structure of matter, solution in rrystals, defects in crystals, crystalline polymorphism, liquids, gases and gaseous solutions, heterogeneous equilibria and the phase rule, and phase diagrams. None of these topics is dealt with in sufficient depth to permit the uninitiated student to fully comprehend the significance of the latter p w t of the hook. Part I1 of the hook offers quite rewarding reading and deals with the physical chemistry of real syst,ems and it^ application to rock and mineral genesis. Part I1 consists of nine chapters devoted t o rather detailed discussion of the topics: silicate systems and igneous processes, silicatemetallic oxide and sulfide systems and magmatic processes, water-silicate WEtems, metallic sulfide-water systems and hydrothermal processes, silicate-sulfidewater systems and magmatic processes, igneous and metamorphic rocks, pegmatitic and contact metasomatic deposits, hydrothermal mineral deposits, and geothermometry and geoharnmetry. Professor Smith's greatest contribution here is in synt,hesiaing, largely in graphical form, a tremendous amount of data, formerly dispersed through a varied literature. The extent of his coverage is evident in a 47-page bibliography which constitutes one of the most, valuable contributions of the book. One must admire Professor Smith's courage in extrapolating data and principles into regions for which good experimental data is lacking. I n spite of the wealth of data ~ r e s w t e d ,one cannot but be impressed with the amount of basic data still lacking t o geochemistry. Very little is k n o m yet, for example, about such basic things as the solubility of simple compounds a t moderate to high temperatures and pressures.
n w o / cnernrcar taucarron
Though intended primarily for geologists snd mineralogists one would hope that more chemists, stimulated by Professor Smith's fine treatment, might find some of the problems dealt with here truly challenging and turn their research attention toward physical geochemistry. W. D. JOENS Washington University St. Louis, Missouri
Chemical Engineers' Handbook
Edited b ~Robert , H . Perry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Cecil H. Chilton, Chemical Enginewing, and Sidney D. Ri7kpatrick, Chemical Engineering and Chemical Week. 4th ed. MeGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1963. xviii 1330 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 25.5 cm. 829.50.
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Robert Perry carries on in the footsteps of his famous father, John H. Perry, editor of the first three editiana, with the help of Cecil Chilton, Sidney Kirkpatrick, and a staff of 110 experts t o completely revise the third edition of the "Chemical Engineers' Hmdboak." This handbook has been fully moderniaed. Over 1300 updated pages will tell the reader about the latest developmente and most advanced procedures. Among the many changes is a regrouping of unit operations on the basis of clme inter-relationships of chemical principles and operating practice. This emphasis on fundamentals makes the book even more applicable to specific problems in such developing fields xs missiles and nucleonics where a "ha,rdware"-oriented spproaeh would immediately be obsolete. Among the many changes and improvements are: More coverage on pressure vessels, piping, power drives, lubrication, speed reducers, and other important information to help you select, apply, and maintain your process equipment. The unified approach to adsorption and ion exchange which treat these subjects from the kinetic approach as well as from the thermodynamic viewpoint. New presentation on heat generation, transport, storage, heat transfer equipment, reaction kinetics, and reactor design. The experts provide up-to-date material on the dynamics of falling 6lms in fluidized beds, electromagnetic pumps, jet pulverizers, grinding theory, unsteady-state diffusion, the use of computers in designing multicomponent distillation processes, and many othen. The handbook has 26 i d l y revised sections compared to 30 sections in the third edition. There are approximately 2000 illustratiom in this new book. Fortunately, the publishers h w e continued the large page size (7'14 X 9'18) which makes the handbook easy t o read. The index is even better than the third edition. Even though you have a third edition, this new edition should he on your book shelf University of T e r n Austin
