BOOK
REVIEWS
The Conceptual Development of Quantum Mechanics
Maz Jammer, Bar-Ilsn University, Israel. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New 399 pp. 15.5 X York, 1966. xii 23.5 om. $10.50.
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One of my most memorable boyhood pleasures consisted of searching for unusual pebbles along the graveled course of a large erosion gulley which cut across the Midwest farm on which I was raised. Most of my finds were dull and nondescript; a very few had either unusual shapes or attractive lusters, but probably in my entire childhood no more t h m half a.doaen finds could be really termed "treasures." I n its field, Max Jammer's book on the conceptual development of quantum mechanics is just such a treasure. This delightful book should especially please those scientists who know many of the facts of modern quantum theory and how to apply them but who have often wished to know more about just how it d l got started and how it progressed. All too often the popular textbooks create the erroneous impression (not necessarily deliberately) that same of the most radical ideas of quantum theory sprang more or less full blown out of the minds of solitary individuals who interacted only superficially with their colleagues. Jammer's account does an excellent job of re-creating something of the true atmosphere of the scientific ferment which led to modern quantum theory-the uncertain gropings, the pursuits of false leads and the fallacious arguments (some
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of which nevertheless led to conclusions ~ l c wto the m:~rk!;of ~uiu.y,rna~.ysrlcrltisls ma!,.v of whom arc i l q a ~ t wtoday:, !~ r h i v l t owvided a nutrdi\.e rnjlicu for those few great ones who patiently subjected all to a fine sieve to extract and refine that which led to an increased understanding. No other book I know of does such a thorough job of tracing the threads of reasoning leading to concepts which the present-day student accepts as simple fact. A notable example is Jammer's presentation of what is very likely the most reliable and most complete account of just how Planck really discovered and eventually justified hi radiation law. Anyone who has ever tried to unravel this development on his own can fully appreciate that Jammer's reconst~ctionis a feat of scientific sleuthing worthy of the great Sherlack Holmes himself. Admittedly, this is a closely reasoned hook and, in spite of the general lucidity and readable style of the author, not all will find it easy readmg. Nevertheless, one need not be a philosopher of science nor a theoretical physicist in order to a p precirtte much of the book. Anyone who is reasonably familiar with elementary modern quantum theory (and enjoys it!) can profit to some extent from a careful reading of this book. In fact, this bookalthough ostensibly aimed a t the theoretical physicist-may very well appeal more to chemists than to physicists. This possibly rash prediction, if correct, might be rationalized on the basisof the faot that the book deals with those aspects of quantum
in fhis Issue
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Maz Jamww, The Conceptual Development of Quantum Mechanics B. J . Wilson, editor, The Radiochemical Manual James G. Trayham, Organic Nomenclature William A. Pryor, Introduction to Free Radical Chemistry R. Stevms, editor, Dictionary of Organic Compounds. Second Supplement Henry R. M a h h and Eugene H . Cordes, Biological Chemistry Bernard Oser, editor, Hawk's Physiological Chemistry E. H . E. Piefsch and the Gmelin Institute, editors, Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie. 8. AuRage, System Nummer 21, Natrium. Lieferung 3 Robe~tKaluoda, Techniques of Oscillographic Polmgraphy C. W . N . Cumper, Wave Mechanics for Chemists George H. Namcollas, Interactions in Electrolyte Solutions Richard M. Slephmson, Introduction to the Chemical Pmcess Industries Robert M. B e s a n w , The Enoyclopedia of Physics WilliamD.Hedges, Testing andEvalurttion for the Sciences in the Secondary School Nobel Lectures in Chemistry. Volume 1, 1901-1921
Johannes Kepler, The Six-Cornered Snowflake
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Journal of Chemical Education
theory which are becoming of increasing interest to chemists and of decreasing interest to physicists. In any event, thisis a book to read and savor, not once, but several times: each re-reading is likely to reveal new insights and new appreciation of one of the most elegant unifying concepts of modern chemistry. Jammer's baok should be of particular value to teachers of physical ohemistry who wish to oheck the historical aspects of the development of quantum theory and who wish to immerse themselves as much as possible in the scientific atmosphere of the days when quantum theory was an awkward fledgling with doubtful potentialities of flight. For a great many serious students of quantum theory, such an a p proach is the most satisfying and most efficient for acquiring a competence in modern quantum theory, certain modern educational trends to the contrary! Furthermore, the book contains a rather extensive collection of references to the original literature, references which are often extremely difficult for the average scientist to track down. Of less importance, but fascinating nevertheless, are the various tidbits of little known facts found throughout the book. For example, Stefan'n'suse of scanty and incorrect experimental data to deduce the correct fourth power dependence of black-body radiation upon the absolute temperature, the work of Hsas which anticipated certain features (although not the crucial ones) of the Bohr theory of the atom, the faot that the Thamson model of the atom can be rejected on the basis of spectral evidence alone (quantum treatment of this model leads to incorrect degeneracies), and the fact that some consequences of spin follow from nonrelstivistic transformation invariance so that spin cannot be said to be entirely relativistic in nature (as is often asserted). In conclusion, every chemist who knows a fair amount of quantum theory and harbors no strong aversion to this field ought to keep a copy of Jammer's baok someplace where it can be picked up for reading at a moment's notice. F. L. P I L ~ Uniuersitw of N m Hampshire
The Radiochemieal Manual
Edited by B. J . Wilson. 2nd ed. Radiochemical Centre, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, 1966. 327 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.5 X 27.5 em. $7.
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This manual is the second edition of material which appeared in two volumes in 1962 and 1963. I t is an excellent wmpendium of information of a considerable variety and is intended as "a guide for all who use radioactive substances professionally. Its aim is to help the individual user-the scientist, doctor, engineer or technologist to choose the right material for his particular purpose. . .!' There is no question that the book meets its intended purpose in an excellent fashion. The volume is divided into six sections of text but approximately half is devoted
Introduction to Free Radical Chemistry dated hut the basic textual and tabular to tahles of radioisotope data. Four of the sections would have considerable usefulmaterial will eont.inue to be a good starting William A. P ~ y o r ,Louisiana State Unipoint for the beginner and an excellent ness to workers in the U.S. Following a versit,y, Baton Range. Prentice-Hall, reference volwne for the more experienced. glossary of terms (based on British usage) Inc., E?glcwood Cliffs, New Jersey. the first section deals with physical charof Modern Organic ChemRALPHT. O V E R M ~ N Fom~dat~on acteristics emphasizing decay schemes. 110 pp. Figs. and istry Series. xvii Ralph T. Overmnn Consulling Services The section on production includes some tables. 16 X 23.5 em. Clothhound, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 60 pages devoted to the basic nuclear and $5.50; paperbound, $2.50. chemical processes, the synthesis of labeled compounds, and the design and msnafecThis book, another in the "Folmdations ture of radiation sources. This section of Modern Organic Chemi8try" series (see outlines in considerable detail much of THIS JOURNAL, 43, A998 [I9661 ), attempts rhr prnetice of rha R:~rliwlrmrniwlI(.'entrr to fills. real need. That is, taken as a part ir, these h n w . It ~ i v we x r d l e ~ rd l w m of an introductory course, it supplies the Organic Nomenclature: A rioni of the prublrnmu uml s d ~tiorlishivh thorough and lengthy introduction approProgrammed Introduction are used in the Amersham laboratories. inr n.rii.!>gly inlymrtsnl are. d printr to The third section may represent the "rgnl,ic rhtmi-.rry. 'Thv nt~thoris r c l n d James G . Trapham, Louisiana State material of greatest usefulness for many I W rr.rxr.:l.vr i t ) the iwe rndwil hdd, and University, Baton Rouge. Prenticeworkers who are involved with the chemt h i hook reflects this. Coverage is broad; Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New These ical aspects of tracer investigation. examples are mainly chosen from recent Jersey, 1966. Workbook Supplement chanters include one of the best current work (neither Paneth nor Gomherg are to Foundations of Modern Organic wrvrys 111 thr. prohIr111~ u i chrmiv~dnwl mentioned); the complexities frequently 129 pp. Chemistry series. xiv rsdi~whrmir~l purity, ireslnlrdtty in r;&+ encountered in free radical chemistry are 19.5 X 23.5 cm. Paperbound. $1.95. active chemicals along with its causes and not minimized; many topics of current control, the behavior of small masses and Organic Nomenclature is a natural far interest are included, e.g., conformations of very dilute solutions, the quantification radicals, cage effects, induced decomposiof radioactive substances and the exact tion of peroxides, free radical rearrange specification of materials. Along with ments, polar effects, etc. these general topics is included a chapter on valuable classroom time. Cleitrlv The book is clearly a condensation of the on radioactive chemicals as pharmaneeded is a cleverlv desiened workhook author's recent, very useful monograph, ceuticals with emphasis on purity and provide both the necessby drill and the "Free Ra.didicrtls" (McGraw-Hill, 1966.) control. This rtgain demonstrates the impetus to carry the student through it on Its organisitt,ion derives from the chain care which is manifested hy producers of hir .... "rr" ... ... reaction: initiation, propagation, terminaradioactive materials for human use. Of the irvernl rerent uttrrnprt tu hktion. Under initiation, there are chapters The section on administrative topics has itwh a Imnk, P r o f e ~ ~ Tmvnharn'-, or is, in on peroxides and a m compounds, photolyinformation on the control of exposure, the o~inionof rhis reviwwr, t t w he-t, l,oth sis, and redox systems. Under propsgsr monitoring, and waste disposal, although in depth of coverage and clarity of exposition, hydrogen abstraction, addition to the details refer to British practice and regtion. Although it has been issued as part double bonds, and aromatic substitution ulatory philosophy. There is s. good seeof the Foundation of Modern Organic form the major subdivisions. Halogen* tian an the International Atomic Energy Chemistry series, it is not peculiarly suited tion and polymeriailtion are treated exAgency regulations which, unfortunately, to that approach and might be used to tensively, hut autoxidation, rather surare not well-known in the U.S. The prisingly, is not mentioned. Ion radicals supplement any text or course of lectures. bibliography contains lists of journals, are mentioned but there is no description Its undoubted usefulness eonpled with a abstract journals, books, catalogs and a of their chemistry. very modest price, seems certain to make few paragraphs on sources of commercial On the whole, the treatment isless suited it a best seller. infomrttion. to an introductory exploration than it The hook has the usual pragrrtm format; The last half of the book is devoted to might be. There is too much material, short statements followed by questions of tables of data which report extensively on the fill-in-the-blanks variety; succeeding covered too sketchily and with too little the practical aspects of the problem. questions building on knowledge preemphasis on what is of major importance This includes about 75 pages listing "physand what is subsidiary. For example, viously gained and tested. There are a ical characteristics and availability!' total of 461 items requiring 971 responses. surely the first thing to know about perNow we h w e the s e c r e t t h i s is really the The author reports that the entire program oxides is that they homolyee, then what Radiochemical Centre's catalog of availrequires 14-15 hours of work for the averfactors influence their stability and the able radioactive materials! Althongh most viability of the radicds produced. Of age student, hut suggests that it be used s. suppliers of radioisotope puhlish less durcourse, induced and ionic decompositions chapter at a time, supplementing classable listin@ of their commodities, this frequently pose grave experimental diffiroom work, rather than as a single long approach is to the credit of the Centre. assignment. culties in peroxide research, hut to interThere is a real wealth of information which mix these latter fsctors with the former in Coverage is directed toward a thorough certainly makes the hmd cover well wortha first discussion, and give them equal grounding in IUPAC nomenclature for while. The remainder of the tables list weight, leads to confusion. The student most of the kinds of compounds usually physical data on a. variety of radioisotopes will ask (as he always does, hut here with encountered in a firstyear course. Types arranged in groups by type of emission, a some justification), "Sir, What are we not covered by the program include phesection on the availability of sources, responsible for?" I n particular, I would nols, amides, heterocyclics, condensed ring an ingenious section on schematic synhave liked to see more emphasis on factors aromstics, and compounds containing elethetic mutes to labeled compounds ininfluencing stability of radicals, and B ments other than C, H,N, 0, or halogens. cluding schema far C-14, 5-35, P-32, and thorough exposition of what is meant by However, the firm basis that is provided, C1-36 compounds. This section should "stability" in this connection. There is no together with tables contained in the be especially valuable to workers beginning discussion of inhihition, though inhibitors appendix, should enable the student to in the organic field. Additional tables are mentioned here and there. progress further easily. include information on decom~osition There m e some organimtional d'iculOne may question whether the program , rxtes of 1110eIediornpnuds, ~ n r n s ~ ~ r r n ~ e n tcontains ties. Students would he well advised to ~ufficientexamples--enough resafrry, and r:triow [,re.+rttstiwte of radioread the rather good chapters on abstracinforcement-to fix the principles it activity decay caloulations. tion and addition before tackling the preelucidates. Professor Traynham admits I t should he evident that the amount of ceding sophisticated treatment of modes of to compromising between length and cost. m a t e d included in this volume makes it initiation. The chain reaction itself, perIn my view the compromise is quite satisa. required one for all ~erious(and not just haps the single most important feature of factory. professional) workers in the field. The free radical chemistry, is not fully develRICHARD HIATT promise is that the hook will be revised oped until near the end of the book. Broek University from time to time. The availability in(Cmtinued on page 3'10) St. Catharine's, Ontario formation will doubtless need to be u p
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olume 44, Number 5, May 1967
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