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The Physiurl Ezamination of Metals. VoZ. I . Optical Methods. First edition. By BRUCECEALMEBS. 176 pp. New York: Longmans, Green and Company, 1939. Price: 84.00. The author makes no claim to have prepared a complete treatise on this subject; however, he haa illustrated well all of the fundamental optical methods used for metals. The book is not a treatment of optical metallography alone, as the title might imply, b u t covers all optical methods which might be used for many materials other than metals. From Chapter I, the introduction, we get an idea of the properties of light, the visible spectrum, and the electromagnetic spectrum. In Chapter 11, “Geometrical Optics,” may be mentioned such subjects as measurement of reflectivity, fluorescence, and the optical properties of thin films. Two chapters are devoted t o the subject of wave optics. In the first, “Interference,” we find parallel and inclined plate systems and the Michelson interferometer discussed with such applications aa Newton’s rings, measurement of elastic moduli, precision extensometer, dilatometers, micro-topography, micro-interferometer, colors of oxide films, etc. The second chapter, “Diffraction,” treats of diffraction by edge, slit, and wire; diffraction grating, measurement of mesh; measurement of size of powder; and resolving power of microscope, touching upon ultraviolet microscopy. I n Chapter V, “Polarized Light,” the moat important applications seem t o be in the determination of microstructure and the presence and nature of inclusions. The book closes with a discussion of sources of light, with some reference to radiation pyrometry, spectrographic analysis, and photography. One need not be an atomic physicist to be able to read the book. .4 layman or t h e average scientist can profit considerably by studying this volume and applying the fundamental concepts of light to his own problems so as t o extend his particular branch of science. The author points the way for the use of many of these methods in practice. The book is written systematically in a clear and concise manner and is well indexed. Dr. Chalmers has accomplished a good job and is to be congratulated. RALPHL. DOWDELL.
Statisfa& Thermodynamics. By R. H. FOWLER AND E. GUGGENHEIM. London: Cambridge University Press, 1939. T o readers of Professor Fowler’s treatise, Statistical Mechanics, this work will need neither introduction nor recommendation, since in essentials i t is a revised version of the most important portions of the earlier treatise. In scope i t is roughly that of Statistical Mechanics, with the exclusion of the astrophysical problems and with the inclusion of much new material particularly of chemical interest. Even though i t does not altogether supersede its predecessor, the present work will undoubtedly find even greater favor and usefulness as a reference source. The changed title may seem a little misleading, particularly to American readers, since i t suggests that the book covers both statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. This is true only in8ofar as statistical methods are used for the computation of thermodynamic functions, but thermodynamic arguments per se are not used. T o the present reviewer i t seems a little regrettable that a short treatment of the mathematical structure of thermodynamic equations was not included, as i t would have materially enhanced the pedagogic features of the book. But this is only a very minor point. The approach t o statistical mechanics through the so-called “Darwin-Fowler method” haa been somewhat simplified, and the reader will probably need some
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preliminary acquaintaucc with wave mechanics in order to follow i t successfully, but on the whole i t makes distinctly easier reading than in the earlier editions. I t would be impossible t o indicate in any detail the many additions and revisions which have been made in the material over the second edition of S t a t i s t i d Mechanics, and i t will probably suffice to point out only the major items. The important chapter on “Chemical Equilibria, Evaporation and Nernst’s Theorem” has been considerably simplified and promises to be much more useful than formerly. The systematic discussion of chemical constants and their collection into easily accessible formulas will be especially appreciated. A new chapter on “Grand Partition Functions” does much t o clarify the nature of the choice of the unit system in statistical mechanics. For the problems of physical chemistry, the chapters on liquids, electrolytic solutions, and surface layers are probably among the most important. They include much new material from the literature, and are thoroughly up t o date, To the reviewer’s knowledge the discussion of the present status of the theory of the liquid state is the best obtainable anywhere. The discussion of the order-disorder theory of lattice imperfections, which formerly occupied a minor place, has been expanded into a long chapter and gives a particularly interesting discussion of the various methods of attack which have been used in this field. In view of its recent successful applications t o a number of problems, there is every reason t o believe that this theory will become of increasing importance in the near future. The reviewer is painfully aware of the inadequacy of a review in covering even the essential8 of a book of this character. I t is all too rarely that the scientific literature is graced by a work of such wide scope, and yet one in which the material has been so well digested. I t is not presumptuous t o recommend this book above all others to the serious reader, for i t has no competitors in its own field. E. L. HILL. Rutherford (being the Life and Letters of the Right Honorable Lord Rutherford). By A. S. EVE. 450 pp. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1939. Price: 55.00. The shock which the world felt in October, 1937, a t the death of Rutherford, the greatest experimental physicist of modern times, inevitably left the feeling that something besides his monumental work should survive,-be left in living memory of the noble spirit and the great soul that were his. No one who ever came within the charmed circle of his magnetic personality could forget the experience. To those who were not so fortunate, the present letters will be the next best substitute. By their skillful selection and arrangement they almost reproduce the living Rutherford. The scientific world is indebted t o Lady Rutherford for the preservation and selection and to Professor Eve for the reproduction of the letters which carry Rutherford in a natural transition from his early boyhood in New Zealand t o a glorious climax in Cambridge. But let no one think i t is possible t o separate his work and his personality. If anyone ever lived his work every hour of the day, every day in the year, it was Rutherford. I t breathed in everything he said or wrote or did. And t o those who have lived through the development of radioactivity, these letters are a delightful review of its entire history. They furnish the personal touch of great ideas i n the making, So intimately was Rutherford associated with each step and so skillfully has Professor Eve supplied the essential connections that nothing is lacking t o complete the story from atomic disintegration through the
