Physical properties of inorganic compounds (Horvath, A. L.) - Journal

Physical properties of inorganic compounds (Horvath, A. L.). Wayne P. Anderson. J. Chem. Educ. , 1976, 53 (5), p A277. DOI: 10.1021/ed053pA277.1...
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techniques required to generate and detect the 'B1, 'A,, transition of benzene vapor are described in some detail. The last chapter deals with photoinduced currents in fluids. There are detailed presentations of experimental techniques necessary for mobility determinations, trapping and relaxation measurements, and comparisons between transient and steady-state photoconduction. This chapter will be of special interest to scientists interested in ionization, conductivity, and electrical breakdown in liquids. Although the lack of detailed information on preparative procedures is a distinct drawback, Volume Three adequately presents important experimental developments in the specialized fields described above. I t is recommended for use by advanced graduate students, and senior level investigators as a clear, direct, introductory presentation of experimental techniques in photophysics and photochemistry. Fitlgerald B. Bramwell Broakiyn Mlisge of CUNY Broakiyn, New York 11210

Physical Properties of Inorganic Compounds

A. L. Horuath, Crane, Russak and Com-

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pany, Inc., New York, 1975. xiii 466 pp. Figs. and tables. 32 X 25.5 cm. $64. According to the Introduction, the purpose of this book is to present, in a manner whieh allows for accurate and rapid usage, ". . . the selected physical properties of the inorganic compounds which are most frequently used by research workers, engineers, and designers in the chemical and gas industries." To meet this goal the author has compiled numerous physical properties of 31 elements and inorganic compounds containing hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, the halogens, and phosphorus (phosphoric acid only). Many references were surveyed in each case in order to obtain values whieh the author considered to be most reliable, and the data were converted to S I units. Several of the temperature-dependent properties are presented in a convenient graphical form. Although the title of the book is somewhat misleading, considering the fact that only a small group of inorganic compounds is included, the author has done a commendable job of gathering and presenting the data. I am unaware of any other single source which contains such a complete and convenient listing of properties of these substances. This alone iustifies the inclusion of this book in many industrial and university reference libraries. While the hook will be of primary value to engineers and industrial chemists who are involved in processes requiring the use of these substances, the data for nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and ozone will he of use to atmospheric chemists and to physical chemists who are interested in the properties of small inorganic molecules. Unfortunately, the fact that no metal-containing compounds are

included decreases its value to those chemikty who are primarily interested in organometallic or coordination chemistry. Wayne P. Anderson B l w m b u g Stam C o l i w

The Cavendlsh Laboratory

J. G. Crourther, Science History Publications (Neale Watson Academic Puhlications), New York, 1974. xv 463 pp. Fifty illustrations. 18 X 24 em. $50; prepaid $35.

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The Cavendish Laboratory of Enperimental Physics was founded in 1870 a t Cambridge with funds provided by the Duke of Devonshire, a distant relation of Henry Cavendish, the noted chemist and physicist (1731-1810), hut the Duke, who was also Chancellor of the University, preferred that his family name he attached to the laboratory and professorship. The first Cavendish professor of experimental physics was Clerk Maxwell, who was succeeded in turn by Lord Rayleigh, J. J. Thomson, Rutherford, W. L. Bragg, N. Mott, A. B. Pippard, indeed an eminent lineage. Great things were accomplished by each of these and also by many of those who worked under them at the "Cavendish" though a s the laboratory grew and the lines of work expanded and diversified it became less and less possible for the Head to put the imprint of his own likes and specialties on the output. Many were attracted by the "Cavendish" from all parts of the civilized world, and in fact no less than 22 of the principals and those who worked there became Nobel Prize winners. In short the "Cavendish" became one of the outstanding physics laboratories of the world. The story of this growth is told in masterful fashion by the author, who not only knows his subject but also has the ability to convey his information to the reader. This b w k belongs in every physics library; furthermore many chemists will profit from what it presents. Though the price is rather high, the style and elegance of the presentation justify the price. UniwnW of Cincinnati Cincinnati. Ohio 45221

Inventing: How the Maders Did It

Byron M. Vnnderbilt, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Maore Publishing Company, Durham, North Carolina. 1974, 375 pp. References, Appendexes and Index, $8.95. The author gives fairly detailed biographical material on Goodyear, Bell, Edison, Westinghouse, Acheson, and Nobel. He deserihq their family background, personal characteristics, research methods and the complications encountered in obtaining and protecting their patents. From this he gleans reasons for the success of these inventors and generalizes from these six cases

these reasons: They were hard workers, egotistical, sought fame, tenacious, optimistic, withstood failure and did not become hitter or discouraged, and observed unexpected results. A more personal profile of these sir and an effort to extrapolate to a wider eammunity leads the author to conclude that the potential inventor has a greater likelihood of success if, 1) he comes from a middle class family, 2) his father is a craftsman who has shown innovative traits, 3) he is one of the younger children and as a child he may have been relatively weak and sickly, did not elreell in sports, and was not necessarily an outstanding student but did well in science, mathematics and the mechanical arts. In the typical ease his edueation was general with no high degree of specialization. He was not interested in social affairs. Valid extrapolations from these conclusions seem to be dubious as a profile of today's inventor, three-quarters of a century after these six did their work. I t is unfortunate that this profile was not compared with that of six more recent or present day inventors or Nobel Laureates to note recent chanees that mav have evolved in such prufiles. Irenda and patterni. Withum such an up-dated comparism the author', summary, whilr interestmg and pnrhnhly valid for these six, really raises more questions than it answers. The final chapter is on the inventor and the Patent Office in which is described the complex problems that can arise when routine patent procedures are not followed, when conflicting claims are encountered or when unscrupulous legal services become involved. This problem is a well-known perplexing one today for all who have gone through the patent procedure. The hook is interesting; the data well documented; the writing is folksy with numerous eolloquilisms; and at times includes unnecessary detail and asides. Some of the conclusions in Chapter 7 are interesting hut may give the wrong impression to the young render that one n u l s l be D dcvianl to be an invcnwr. The prufile o i thr crearive mind given hy McKibhrn would have been an excellent "p-to-date and fitting summary to have ineluded. A. 0. Garrett hoiessor Emeritus Ohio State Univenify Coiumbur, 43210

The Sadtler Guide to the NMR Spectra of Polymers

W W. Simons, Sadtler Research Lahoratories, Inc., and M. Zanger, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. Sadtler Research Laboratories, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1973. 298 pp. Figs. and tables. 22.5 X 22 cm. $24.50.

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This addition to the Sadtler publications of collections of spectra provides nmr spectra of common monomers and polymers of various types and is designed to help the analytical chemist both qualitatively iden(Continued on page A27W Volume 53.Number 5. May 1976 / A277