APRIL, 1952
QUANTUM THEORY OF MATTER John C. Slater, Prcdessor of Phpics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. McGraw-Hill B w k Co., Inc., New York, 1951. ir 528 pp. 114 figs. 15 tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $7.50.
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DURINQthe first quarter of this century the quantum theory, as formulated by Planck and Einstein, was applied t o the
interpretation of radiation phenomena and atomic structure. With the discovery of the phenomenon of electron diffraction and the formulation of the wave theory by de Braglie and Schroedinger and a much more advanced mathematical theory by Heisenberg, Dirao, and others, it was soon realized that the new concepts could be applied also to the study of the solid and liquid states. The quantum theory of matter, which is the subject of Professor Slater's treatise, has thus become a basis for many new ideas not only in physics but also in chem-
istry and metallurgy. The new theory may even provide fresh points of view in the biochemical field, as is evident from some recent publications. The writer knows of no other authority who could have dealt more adequately with these new topics than Dr. Slater. To survey the contents of the volume under consideration even at all intelligently is, of course, impossible in a limited review. All that the reviewer can accomplish is merely to indicate the wide scope of the contents and to note that it is one of the most comprehensive and most stimulating books that have appeared in recent veitra. The firit two chapters, entitled De Broglie Waves and Wave Mechanics and Schroedinger's Equation, deal with the general principles of quantum mechanics, especially with the analogy bcrwccn gcome~ricoloptics and cln*si~.~I nwhnnicq, L I P ti;;curtnitrry principle, the (ormulation oi SchrwJingrr'a equation, and tlw ~ p p l i r ~ t i oof n the larrcr to the prul,l~nof rhc linesr
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
208 oscillator. Chapter 3 contains a discussion of average values and matrices, while the theory of perturbation, ~irac's theory of the radiation field, and related problem are discussed in Chapter 4. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 deal with the hydrogen atom, the structure of a t o m containing many electrons, and multiplet structure. The Heitler-London method and moleeulsr orbital method of treatment of the hydrogen molecule is the topic of Chapter 8, and in the following chapter, entitled Interatomic and Intermoleculitr Forces, ionic and covalent bindings are discussed. All the new quantum mechanics concepts thus developed are applied in the following chapters to a consideration of the nronerties of matter: t,hose of the metallic state [Chanter . 101, t h v mrchurhl, chemical, nnd thcrnmnl properties (Chpter I I), clrctrical codurtivity (C'hnpwr 12), thr nature of dit,lrrtrics (Chsptcr 131, and msgnptisrrt (('Iupwr 14). In each case, the treatment begins in an elementary manner and is carried through to quite an advanced stage without the use of difficult mathematics. However, many of the topics whioh must necessarily he treated at a higher mathematical level for the sake of more detailed explanation are dealt with in 22 appendixes (pages 435-516). At the end of each chapter is a large selection of problems which should prove extremely useful to the student. No review can really do justice to the clear and soholrtrly discussion in this treatise, which should be a "must" for every student who desires to become familiar with the many recent developments in the applications of the quantum theory to an understanding of the properties and behavior of matter in the solid state.
THE STRUCTURE OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
C. N. Hinshelwood, Dr. Lee's Professor of Chemistry in the University of Oxford. Oxford University Press, London, 1951. viii 476 pp. 48 figs. 16.5 X 24.5 cm. $7.
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THIShook is an attempt to provide a synthesis of physical chemistry, such that diverse concepts, which are usually presented independently of one another, shall appear as parts of a systemati c d v develooed and unified structure. This structure is developed from the ideas of the atomic theory, considering first the simplest and most general concepts, and proceeding to increasingly complicated and detailed ones. The book is organiaed in six parts, ertoh of whioh is developed in two to five chapters . . preoeded by asynopsis of the part. Part I, on the world as molecular chaos, presents theelementary ideas of the atomic theory and develops their consequences. The molecules are considered t o be microscopio masses in chaotic motion, following the laws of classical mmhsnics. The interplay between the as yet unspecified forces of mutual attraction and repulsion determines the combinations that are possible and the states of aggregation in which the molecules exist. The concepts of entropy and oi equilibria in chemical and physical changes flow then from these ideas. Part 11, on the control of the chaos by the quantum laws reshapes and relines the ideas of Part I to conform to the requirements of the quantum mechanics that is found to apply t o molecular systems. Such systems are no longer considered to be small-scale replicas of macroscopic objects, but to besuhject to qualitatively distinct rules. The forces among the parts of the system are still unspecified and the emphasis is still an the effects on the chaos of the general laws that control molecules. SAUL DUSHMAN Part 111, on the electrical basis of matter, is conce~nedwith the more detailed application of quantum mechanics to the stmatures of atoms and molecules. Part IV, on forces, follows-as a natural continuation of the preceding part. It is a discussion of the forces within nuclei, AN ADVANCED TREATISE ON PHYSICAL 0 atoms, molecules, and macrhscopic systems. These are the CHEMISTRY. VOLUME I1 forces that were left unspecified in the earlier parts of the book. Part V, on the forms of matter in equilibrium, is concerned I. R. Partington, Professor of Chemidry in the University of with the application of the ooncepts developed in the h t four London. Lonsmans, Green and Co., New York, 1951. xliv parts of the book to those systems that are of special interest 448 pp. 2 tables. Illustrated. 16 X 25.5 cm. $10. to chemists. Metals, ionic and covalent compounds, crystal THEsecond volume of Professor Partington's treatise contains latices, liquids and allied states of matter, and highly dispersed the most comprehensive survey yet made of the properties of systems are all discussed from the common viewpoint-the liquids and the experimental methods used in investigating the effect of theorderingforces upon a,chaotic system. liouid state of matter. The subiects are discussed in tho followPart VI, on the pantssage towards equilibrium, is in many reing order: Densities (pages 1-35), Thermal Expansion (pages spects the climax of the hook and is the longest single part 35-57), Compressibilities (pages 57-70), Viscosities (pages 70(121 pages). I t is on the rates of changes and the factors that 127), Thermal Conductivity (pages 12734), Surface Ten~ion influence these rates, and is develaped irom the quantum sta(pages 134-207), Specific Heats (pages 207-21), Vapour Pres- tistios that was discussed earlier. The book ends with an intersures (pages 226-74), Boiling Points (pages 275-303), Latent esting and suggestive, if necessarily incomplete and speoulative, Heat of Vaporization (pages 303-76). application of the concepts to biological systems. Since there exists no exact theory whioh encompasses the wide The treatment is on an advanced level as to the ideas, but variations in the behaviors of the properties of liquids, the com- only moderately so as to the mathematics and the language. prehensive critical survey contained in this volume is of great The reasoning and the expression are, in fact, so clear and so value. The thoroughness with which the experimental methods attractive that the result is s, pleasure to read. Derivations me described, the data recorded, and the thousands af references seem to be given principally to display the relationships of the listed is an outstanding achievement. As illustrations of this ideas to one another and t o clarify the ideas themselves. Conthoroughness, one finds over 50 different empirical farmnlaa sequently, one must know something of the subject in order to representing the variation of vapor pressure with temperature follow much of the book. The title correctly suggests that this and 60 or more empirical equations for the variation of thelatent book is neither a text nor a formal introduction to the subject. heat of vaporization with temperature. It is, rather, a humanistic attempt to understand and unify the Pages 377438 contain a mathematical appendix in whioh the subject by a treatment written for those who already have some elements of the subjects, determinants, matrices, group theory, knowledge of it. and owordinate geometry of three dimensions are treated in a Throuehout the hook there is no evident hesitation in inlucid manner. cluding an idea even though it is difficult to grasp, nor in using This reviewer has already gained much from reading carefully any treatment that will clarify a concept. One parts of this volume and would advise teachers and advanced of the of the treatment is that the author has students of general .. . physical chemistry to arrange that this work some usu$, but ,,,isleading, analogies. "some,f the current be eas~lyaccessme. working notions are expressed in words which easily become invested-with a more literally descriptive character than they H ~ R ~ E Rs,T deserve, and many young chemists-this is my impression at least-are led to think they understand things which in fact
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