algebraic derivations, including Bohr's derivation of the Balmer equation. The choice of subject matter in the first part of the book emphasizes the developmental approach to justify the acceptance of the concepts, laws and theories of ohemistry. In the latter part of the hook, which is nonhistoric, the authors attempt to justify most of the concepts they present by pointing out their experimental foundations. In this section, the authors include many interesting a n d 4 a r e I use the word-relevant examples to illustrate their ideas. The historical background included is adequate in most cases, although the existence of much subject matter to be packed into a limited volume produces a great deal of pressure- both on the authols, and on the students. Unavoidably, there are gaps and oversimplifications. For instance, electrolysis, and the existence of ions are described without a hint of Faraday's work. Dalton's assumptions that the formula of water was HO is pointed out as an example of the frailties of human judgment, rather than as an intelligent solution, based upon the rule of simplicity, to an irnpossible'problem. Only a. hint of the ljhilosophical aspects of the growth of chemistry are described in the book. Operational definitions are noted, and are very neatly applied to the definition of an element. However the ward "explain" is used often without any discussion on the meaning of explanation in science. The use of the law of gravitation as an example of induction is not valid, for it is much more complex than is indicated, and is based both upon inductive and deductive reasoning. However, the inductive approach is used frequently, and with validity throughout the text to present subject matter, e.g., the law of constant composition. This book has some very positive attributes. The organization is logical and very good; the questions at the end of the chapters and the suggested readings me realistic and useful; the presentation of the subject matter is frequently excellent. For instance, Chepter 3 on atomic weights and stoichiametry, and Chapter 8 on ehemicd bonding are models of clarity. The format of the book is pleasing, attractive, and easy to read and there are many really excellent diagrams. The appendices contain some useful information. On the debit side, the material is frequently not self-contained, and in some cases would require much clarification by the instructor, e.g., Chapters 6 and 7 on the Bohr atom and the Shrodinger equation. Same new terms (as voltage, power, esu), are suddenly introduced with either no or inadequate definitions, and some equations are introduced without derive tion. There are few errors in the book. The chart on visible spectra on page 109 unaccountably contains many mistakes. The historical highlights ohart printed on the endpapers is useful but i t contains some mistakes. For instance, the first paper on fission was published in 1939, not in 1940; Fermi's work in 1934 was not notable for the production of transuranium elements, although he mistakenly thought he had prdduced 93. Coulomb's law on page 64 omits the constant. The difference be-
792 / Journd o f Chemical Edumfion
matter, the authors progress through digcussions of electrostatics, electric currents, electromagnetism, wave motion, and the nature of light andsound to concepts about the qnanti.ed nature of matter. After considering the structure of the nucleus and some topics in nuclear chemistry, a. background has been established for an outline of atomic structure and chemical periodicity, and a discussion of chemical bonding, with some emphasis on the combining properties of carbon and the functional group principle. Before developing further the principles of chemistry, some attention is given to thermodynamics. The authors conclude with a. consideration of solntions, ionic equilibria, and reactions involving the formation of weak electrolytes, substances of low solubility, and ESTHERB. SPARBERG electron transfer. T h u ~ there is an Hofstra Uniuersity orderly progression from the fundaHempstead, New York mentals of mechanicfi to reactions in aqueous solution. Along the way there is developed an appreciation of the nature and the range of the concept,^ used to interpret the behavior of matter. Students will appreciate the verbal interpretations of hasic concepts and the detailed illustrative applications of qllantitrttive relationships. Problems accompany each chapter and answers are given The Fundamentals of Physics and for many. Whiles. few slips were spotted Chemistry here and there (e.g., eight valence elect,rons in a chlorine atom, BeCb and BeBr2 Joseph F. Mucci and Robert L. Steams, described as ionic) and some principles both of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, could perhaps he more fully illustrated New York. Charles E. Merrill Pob(e.g., the relation between chemical eqnilishing Co., Columbus, Ohio, 1968. libria. and reactions in aqueous solution), 516 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 xii the book has been thongbtfully planned X 23.5 cm. $9.75. and conscientiously written. One of t,he most difficult teachine assienCAARLE~ COMPTON W{lliams College Williamsfoun, Mass. student whose primary interest is outside of the sciences. What should be the
tween weight and mass is never clarified. How does the text compsse with others in this growing field? I t does not contain as much historical and philosaphicd mmaterid as such physical science texts for nonscience students as Booth, Holton, Lrtgemann, or Ripley, but it does contain more t h n the average for chemistry texts for the nonmrajor. Compared with Nevill's "General Chemistry," it contains more background material in physics, hot not nearly as much descriptive chemistry. Miller's recently published "Chemistry" is more conventional in approach. In conclusion, this text would provide a good solution to the problems of finding a suitable hook for a one-semester chemistry course for the nonmajor.
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p e n t of iieas, the criteria of truth In scientific thinking, the relevance of scientific achievements to human problems, and illustrations of contemporary re'search? "The Fundrtmentals of Physics m d Chemistry" by Mucci and Stearns has been written for terminal courses which combine physics and chemistry, and the authors have chosen to concentrate on a. presentation of fundamental principles essential to an introductory course, leaving to the instructor the development of whatever else he may wish to include. In doing this, they have capitalized effectively on the natural overlap in physics and chemistry to organize topics in a logical sequence and to illnminate connections among the hasic ideas regarding the structure and behavior of matte?. Professors Mucci and dtearns aim at the college student who has had little or no chemistry or physics, although a minimal knowledge of algebra and trigonometry has, been assumed. They begin with mechanics, moving from the principles of dynamics and statics to a consideration of energy and momentum. Before applying this background to a consideration of kinetic theory and the behavior of gases, they consider the atomic-molecular concept and the laws of chemical combination. Turning to the electrical nature of
Practical Statistics for Chemical Research
John D. Hinchen, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, Missouri. Methuen and Co., Ltd. (distributed by Barnes and Noble, New York). ., London. 1969. vii 116 pp. Figs. and table;. 14.5 X 2215 em. Hardbound, $5.75; softbound, $3.
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Statisticians are frequently asked by experimentalists, "Isn't there some thin littlevolume that I could read and find out about strstistics?" Unfortunately, to this reviewer's knowledge, there has not been such s, volume. Purists will argue that there never can be. However, the author of "Prsctieal Statistics for Chemical Research" has come quite close to producing such a book. Thereis nothing statistically new in this book but the approach is refreshingly different. One tires of reading Snedecor Mark IV, mod 3-. pattern of numerous texts issued in the past few years for use by practical experimenters. The present book is not one of those warmed over versions of Snedecor's classic. The author states that he shows by ward and example how statistical methods can
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