edited by G. FRIEDSTEIN HARRIET Rochester Institute of Technology P.O. Box 9887 Rochester, NY 14623
medk exchange The Story of Radiatlon
workers or the general public. These rmides include new terms. suggested actiGities foi before and Z t e r viewing, a hihliogra: phy, and local resources. T o ~ i c are s presented in an inter&ting, understandable, and objectiveway. The film, which is of very good quality, has both outdoor and laboratory scenes. The people pictures-both the radiation experts and the ordinary citizenbinclude men and women of various races and nationalities. The continuity of the series is attained by beginning with a reference to the previous topic and by concluding with a suggestion of the next subject. While there are continual advances in the field of radiation, the basic concepts presented in this program would make i t timely for a number of years. The purchase of this series would he warranted for those with a substantial hudget, a large audience, or a program where "The Story of Radiation" would he told often. With a limited hudget, the prospective purchaser might want to look for some less costly presentation of this essential topic.
The: Format:
15 minutes for each part 16 mm film 3/4" U-Matic videocassette 'I2" VHS videocassette 1/2" Beta videocassette Price: $4.000 for the 10-part set (Programs are not sold individually.) Producer: Training Resources 9150 Rumsev Center, Suite &3 Columbia, MD 21045 301-730-2300 "The Story of Radiation" is a ten-part audiovisual program designed to assist the student in gaining a background knowledge of radiation. With this background, the individual will he better equipped to evaluate information about radiation and to mnke b&isions nhout radiation as it affects one personally and soriets as a whole. The subtitles referrina to the topicsof the ten parts are Energy in Motion, Particles &d Waves, Interaction with Matter, Measurement and Detection, Biological Effects, Human Effects, Interpretation of Dose, Risk Vs. Benefit, Safety Precautions, and Issues. "What is It?" (Part l-Energy in Motion) and "Where Is It?" (Part 4Measurement and Detection) will he reviewed in this article. Part 1begins with a discussion of the sun and an overview of the development of the universe,Then the film focuses on nuclear energy and its role in the universe. Person-on-thestreet interviews hiehlieht common misconcentions and incomplete knowledge ah&t radiation. The vital changes produced hv radiation from the sun are oictured. Examples of the various types of radiation are presented. The sources of radiation for the average person will he enlightening for most viewers. I t will he surprising for most that two-thirds of the radiation that each person absorbs is natural background radiation. For decision making i t is valuahle to know that small Dercentaees of radiation are received from medical uses. nuclear testing fallout, industrial uses, and nuclear power plants. "What Is It?" featured mostly outdoor film with some indoor scenes and a small amount of animation. The material discussed was elementary and suitable only for an introduction to the subject. At times the film was slow movina- and contained littl'information. Part 4 presents the purposes and methods for detecting and measuring radiation. Historical photographs and illustrations give the background for the topic. Currently-used radiation survey instruments are demonstrated by scientists and technicians. Those who actually use the detectors give simple explanations of how they work and what information they give. Other procedures and instruments which tell the type of radionuclide are also demonstrated. The procedures hrieflv shown include radiochemical analysis, hioassays, and environmental studies. A nortion of the tape was also devoted to personnel monitoring devices-the various types and how thev work. "The Story of Radiation" is appropriate for the high school student in either a science class or a social studies class. Each part of the series comes with two instructor's guides: one for a science class and the other for an adult group of radiation ~~~
804
Journal of Chemical Education
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S.N.D. SISTERMARYJOANSCHLOTFEWT. La Reina High Schwl Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Occasionally a hook is published that becomes a standard in everyone's library. Although the hookis not a t+xt,it contains a wealth of information that a classroom teacher cannot do without. One such self-contained reference book that should be on every chemistry classroom shelf is "The Merck Index" whose 14th Edition will appear soon. The Merck Index-An Drugs
Encyclopedia of Chemicals and
Martha Windholz, editor et al., Merck 8 Co.. 1976, 9th Ed.
Rahway. New Jersey.
"The Merck Index," like the equally valuable "Handbook of Chemistry and Physics," is primarily a listing of compounds with information about their physical and chemical properties. However, "The Merck Index" takes a more detailed look at each item (though fewer substances are listed).It contains 9856 monographs on the mast important chemicals, drugs, pesticides, and biologically active substances known. Each monograph begins with a listing of synonyms including common or generic name, trademark (if any), and "Chemical Abstracts" name. While few, if any, high schools subscribeto "Chemical Abstracts," a cooperative area college might provide your students
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This feature will allow for extended coverage which wlll include all instructional aids (8.g.. games,madeb, kits, charts, bwklets, brochures, and. 01 course. the standard audiovisual items>.With the laroe volumeof prm and A-V materia s waslab e and the im led oudgelr of most Chemlslv depanments,thls excmnga offersa valuable sewice. It you are imererted ;in asststing in tho9 process, send your name and address to the feature editor.
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with an opportunity to do a literature search on a substance given the proper "Chemical Abstracts" name which was derived from "The Merck Index." Physical data include empirical formula, molecular weights, per cent composition, melting andlor boiling point, and solubility information. Literature references attempt to represent a short history of the substance which may include methods of preparation, isolation, structural studies, pharmacology, patent data, and general reviews. A special advantage to "The Merck Index" is its inclusion of information and references to the therapeutic uses for and the cautions or toxicities of the listed materials. This is, of course, invaluable to the teacher who will be selectine lahoratorv investieations for these advanced studmra: Inh mnnunls are d r e n less than exhnuative where safety precautirms are concerned. Also it is imporrnnr that these students-and aU chemistry students-see that proper choices regarding chemicals and their uses must begin with detailed information as to their hazards and benefits. "The Merck Index" contains a formula index and a cross index of names to aid in the location of a eiven comoound. Also. there is included an ariortment of miscellaneous tables. One of these, a table of radk,laou,pes nnd their user in medical therapy and diagnosis, gkes a wry nlre i u m m q uf this timely subject. Other useful pages conrain first aid in poiionmg infurmation, m&r volumes otco~nmonchemalphabets! icals, isotonic s h t r o n s and even the Greek and Ru&w To be sure, there are vortkms of thii hook that will not be needed in a high school setting;but much of the information-particularly that which mieht influence decisions affectine the safetv of stud e n b s h o u l d \e immediately available to all h k h ghschwl chemistry teachers. For students in a second-year high school course, "The Merck Index" would serve well as an important part of their reference library. At a minimum, these students should have access to three bwks: a g w d "general chemistry'' text, the "Handbwk of Chemistry and Physics," and "The Merck Index." ~
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coulometry, coulometric titrations and various applications, such as determining the thickness of metallic coatings. Part 2 also contains three very complete tahles of data on potentiastatie determinations, eoulometric titrations and coulometric dissolutions. Several of the labs in this parLi.e., coulometric titration of acetic acid, determination of orthophosphate, and redox titration of divalent metals-should be simple enough for the second-year student with good lab skills to perform with only minimal support from the instructor. Approximately six other experiments from those described in the text can also be done if you have access to platinum electrodes (solid and eauze). "~ ~. The book is rranslated from the original German and, perhaps as a result, the prose is terse and to the point.The explanations are direct, and all questioni are carefully labeled and rhevariables identilied as to their meaning. Finally, as part of the instrumentation portion of Part 1,several schematics for building the electronic equipment needed are given for use by those who are electronically proficient. All in all. this small b w k with its extensive references (513listines) would makea worthwhileaddition to your class bookshelf if you &e hoking tu expand the technical background of your second-year students ~
DAVIDBYRUM Globe High School 502 Ash Street Globe. AZ 85501
Hematology 8 Urinalysis Stanley L. Lamberg and Robert Rothstein, AVI Publishing Company, Westporf, CT, 1978.
DAVIDW. CRANE Greece Arcadla High S c b l 120 Island Conage Road Rochester, NY 14612
Coulometric Analyals Karl Abresch and lngegorg Classen, Franklin Publishing Co., 1966.
"Coulometric Analysis" by Abreseh and Classen is way beyond any high schwl student and in mast parts eventoo advanced for teachers. I t could find very limited use in a research or industrial laboratory, but most of the schematic circuit diagram illustrate tubes rather than tramistors and the symbolization is outdated With a publication date of 1966, the 513 entries (many are duplicates) are taken from the 1940 and 1950 puhlications, with the most recent reference being in 1959 and the oldest in 1887. I do not recommend this hook for use a t the high school level.
"Hematology and Urinalysis" is an excellent manual which instructs the beginning student in medical technology in the basic techniques of the clinical laboratory. Theory in very neatly woven into each procedure. Clear-cut, well-labelled diagrams aie drawn so that the student is able to follow the method described. With a little practice, the student can become quite skilled in the field of medical technology where accuracy is so vital to the work. The manual explains the various methods ofblood collection and determining coagulation times. The different types of hlocd cells ate defined. abnormalities are exnlained. and the nature of the disease they cause is given. The section on routine urinalysis explains the specific tests given, their purpose, and the maanmg of the tindinga. At the end "leach sectiun rofuhich there are fwrtcen), pmgrsmmed form. The correct answers questions are given in a rnultiple.rh~~irr to these questions ran be fuund on the back of thp sheet. Althwgh intended fm the student in thp clrnienl lshorawrv, this manual can be used verv advantaeeouslv .. . bv. the hieh schooiteacher of microbiology, nnntorny, and even AIJ biology courses. The language and style uf this manual, although professional, is clear and concise and can he underrtuod hy the average student in such courses. I t would be excellent in a library as a reference book.
SISTER IGNATIA
CHRISE. DlXON Columbus ~ i g hsmwl Columbus, NE 68601
MARIE
Augustine Academy 14808LakeAvenue Lakewexi, OH 44107
St.
2 The publisher's overview of this book promises a ''concise hut comprehensive treatise on coulometric analytical methcds," and that is exactly what YOU eet. This book would be useful as a reference for the inst&ctor a i d f& those second-year chemistry and physics students who are interested in learnine " a widesoread and useful analytical whnique. In addition, thew nrr several l n h m m q pnredures uhirh would be suirahie for second-year students to perform. The book is divided into two sertrcm. Pnrt 1,"Prmciples, Appa. presenm n thorough inrrudurtion to the ratus & In~trument~tion." state of the art methods in coulometry an of 1SRfi and the laws on which it is based (OHM. Farndnv. Nernst. etc.,. Part 2, "Analytical ~ ~ & c a t i o n i ;gives " directions for potentiostatic ~
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"Hematulow and Urinalysis" is one of a series of five manuals prepared for the heginning student in medical technolo~y.The reading level is not mvrr difficult thnn a aood secondarv teathuok. excentior a few technical terms indieenousto the subiegarea. Most of the vmabulary and mnthernnric~would appear [n s secondary chemistry class. Eleven arpcuti i ~ routme f chemical analysir
