JOURNAL OF CHElMICAL EDUCATION
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Scribner's Sons, New York City. 1930 and 1931. xvi 238 pp.; xviii 238 pp.; xviii 237 pp. 162 Illustrations; 175 Illustrations; 165 Illnstrations. 13 X 19 cm. $1.08 each.
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These books are a part of a series of texts, "Living in a World of Science," intended for the seventh and eighth grades. [The fourth b w k of the series"Magnetism and Electricity"-was reviewed in the J. C ~ MEDUC., . 6, 2070 (Nov., 1929).] According t o the author the selection of the content in each text was guided by three major principles: 1. There is general and wide acceptance of certain major units of study for the course in the junior-high-school science. 2. Local conditions must be permitted to determine the degree of emphasis upon units and the order in which they are t o be considered. 3. The further selection of material and activities for each unit must be based upon a set of criteria which are educationally valid. I n accordance with this thud principle the following criteria were used in determining the most desirable subject matter: 1. To what extent can the item of content be taught objectively? 2. To what extent d m the item interest the pupil? 3. T o what extent is the item adapted to the abilities of the pupils? 4. How frequently does the item occur in the normal experience of the pupil? 5. To what extent d m the item represent a knowledge or skill which the pupil will find of value when an adult? The subject matter of each text is divided into sixteen chapters on "a chapter a week" plan. A science "story" is used to introduce each chapter. Each unit includes a review test, a page of problem pictures, a list of things to read and think about, and a list of things to do and make. Each chapter is profusely illustrated with practical, familiar, and homely enamples of the applications of science in everyday life. Theoretical discussion is
FEBRUARY, 1932
reduced to a minimum. The style is infamal, dear, readable, and often conversational. The numerous science "stories," anecdotes, newspaper references, and experiments should appeal t o every boy and girl interested in science. Many excellent teacher- or pnpil-demonstration experiments and individual pupil laboratory experiments are described. This series of texts is recommended to teachers of general science and physics who desire a series of experiments to supplement those found in the usual textbook in these fields. Pupils will welcome this series as an important addition to the science library. C. M. PRTJIIT UNNBRSITI OR ALABAMA UKIY&BSITY.ALABAMA
Potentiometric Titrations. DR. I . M. KOLTEXOFP, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, University of Minnesota, FURM&. Ph. D.. Assaciand N. ate Professor of Chemistry. Princeton University. Second edition. J o h n Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, and Chapman and Hall, Ltd., London, 1931. xiv 482 pp. 74 Figs. 23 X 15 un. $6.00.
HOWELL
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The purpose of this book is t o collect, discuss, and critically evaluate the methods of potentiometric analysis. I n the reviewer's opinion, this has been done in a very excellent manner. The general arrangement i s t h a t of the first edition. However, the authors have felt i t wise to reduce the space allotted to the theoretical treatment in order that more might he available for the newer developments in the field. The first three chapters of the first edition have been condensed t o nine pages. The next three chapten on theoretical considerations remain as before. I n spite of this the book has adually increased in size by 132 pages. Without depreciating in the least the general excellence of the work, and appreciating fully the reasons for the a u t h m ' choice, the reviewer feels that i t might have been worth the extra cast to include a fuller discus,ion of the theoretical aspects.
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Although these are thoroughly treated in "Volumetric Analysis," by the same authors [for a review see J. CHEM.EDUC., 6, 504 (Mar., 1929)) in the end a self-contained book is preferable. Several new electrodes are described. such as the platinum and iodoso-benzene electrodes, etc. The subject of the glass electrode has been very considerably expanded. New and special designs of electrodes are also included. Especially noteworthy is the great increase in the number of vacuum tube circuit? that are described. The greatest increase in material is found in the section dealing with the potentiometric analyses themselves. Many analvses formerly incorporated in a single chapter have been expanded to whole chapters. A considerable number of new methods are found in the miscellaneous section. Very valuable new chapters are those dealing with the use of ceric sulfate. arsenious oxide and chromous chloride and sulfate. There are abundant references to the literature and an excellent set of useful tables in the appendix. A four-place logarithm table has also been added. The bibliozra~hv . . . has been expanded from sixteen t o thirty-five pages. In conclusion, the authors are t o be heartily congratulated on the way in which they have made available the material in this important field. No student of the subject or practical worker can afford to be without this guide. [Fora review of the first edition of this hook see J. CHEM.BDUC.,3, 846 (July, 1926).1 MALCOLM M. H.4RING
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City, 1931. ix 224 pp. 15 X 23 cm. $3.00.
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The preface states: "In attempting a revision i t has been our aim to preserve as far as possible the spirit of the original work. Few changes have been made except where i t war necessary to bring the terminology up to date. "The purpose of the book has always been to supply the needs of the undergraduate student rather than those of the routine analyst. For that reason considerable space has been given to the development of a setting for the various analytical tests so that the student will see them in their true perspective. "The present edition differs from the former principally in the addition of the newer analytical procedures. The methods for the determination of pH and free chlorine are notable examples. A more extensive discussion of losses due to hard water and detailed direction for the systematic analysis of boiler waters also have been included. A chapter of laboratory exercises in water treatment describes procedures whereby a student may actually carry 6ut the common processes of water treatment, such as softening, coagulation, and chlorination. The exercise on water softening is based upon a series of tests which were a part of the routine orocedure used by the Kennicott Water Softening Company to determine the cost of chemicals required for treatment. This group of exercises has been found especially useful in courses designed to instruct engineering students in the principles of water examination." The original text with the slight changes indicated makes up about half the book. Besides the additions noted above one appendix of 35 pages gives in full Reprint 1029 of the United States Public Health Examination of Water, Chemical and BacService on drinking water standards. Alteriological. WILLIAM P. MASON.Prof thouch this r e ~ r i n tis distributed free Emeritus of Chemistry, Rensselaer Public ~ k t Service, h its inclusion Polytechnic Institute. Sixth edition, by Profes- helm the other extensive additions to make revised by ARTHURM.BUSWELL. the bwk one of the largest collections of sor of Chemistry, University of Illinois information relating t o the examination Chief, Illinois State Water Survey of water and interpretation of the results. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York ~
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