which were not characteristic in the earlier editions. For example, it is said of mixtures, "They have no fixed composition." Then of solutions it is said, "Every drop is exactly like every other drop in composition." This puts solutions on the same basis as compounds. The kinetic theory should have been used to explain the homogeneity of any solution. Nowhere can we find any support of the idea, "To call it a substance does not say that i t is either an element, a compound, or a mixture." From this standpoint the tautological phrase, "pure substance," is less obnoxious and is cammanly used by college authors. "The atoms of metals . . . form no molecules." "The solute dissolves." I t is fortunate that pupils will little note or long remember these points but they will appreciate the unit introductory notes and other apt illustrations that are written from their standpoint. As is characteristic of the work of the publishers of this book, the mechanical details are excellent. Clear, distinct illustrations, large, very readable type, and a close binding make up a book in almost octavo size. The durable binding should more than offset the strain of greater weight. HERBERTR. SMITH 1.ran Vlsw nron Scnoo~ CHICAGO.ILL~NOIS
SURVEY OP PHYSICAL SCIENCEFOE COLLEGESTUDENTS.Paul
McCorkle, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Physical Science. State Teachers College, West Chester, Pennsylvania. P. Blakiston's Sou and Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., 1938. xiii f 471 pp. 273 figs. 15 X 20 cm. $2.75.
area the cyclonic effectproduces a partial vacuum and the barometer falls. . . I t is estimated that tornadoes take the lives of about three hundred people each year. I n other parts of the world such destructive storms are called hurricanes and typhoons. . . . George Washington was born on February 11, 1731, by the Julian calendar. Airplanes are propelled by motors and are maintained aloft by the pressure of the air beneath them. . . . The kidneys, gall bladder, and heart can be studied (by X-rays) by injecting certain dyes such as methyl iodide into the blood. . Becquerel, being too busy to follow up the [discovery of radioactivity I, detailed the task to a young Polish couple, Pierre and Marie Curie. . . . Most investigators believe that light changes silver bromide (AgBr) to di-silver bromide iAe,Br)." , ". , The physical make-up of the hook is excellent, with the exception of several photographic illustrations, which are indistinct, and four star maps which are more confusing than helpful to the student searching for constellations. In the hands of a capable teacher, this hook can be the basis .of a satisfactory course in physical science. I n other hands it would become a mere compendium of the Sunday supplement science pages, some subjects treated too fully and others much too sketchily. At its author's institution it is evidently used to insure that prospective teachers of secondary-school general science are given a course in that subject. Although by implication it may be made to do more than this, unfortunately it does little more within its own pages. I t can be recommended as an earnest attempt a t a still unscaled h e i g h t a n adequate text coverina Dhvsical science a t the colleee level.
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Professor McCorkle, ca-author of COLLEGE PHYSICAL SCIENCE, has attempted in this new book to achieve two objectives. He aims to provide an orientation course for all students, with "material so chosen that there will be little duplication for stu- THE S~LUTIONS OP PROBLEMS IN QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS dents who supplement the course with the traditional courses Saul B. Arenson, University of Cincinnati. Edwards Brothers, in chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy." Enough maInc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1938. 41 pp. 21.5 X 28 cm. terial is purportedly chosen from each of these fields "to enable $0.35. students who will go no further in science to have e better appreciation of their scientific environment." I n addition to this This small, lithoprinted book contains three hundred seventylaudable ambition, the book "has been so built that i t provides a five numerical problems of the type conventionally used in physical science background for the potential teacher of general courses in elementary quantitative chemical analysis. science." This aim is more nearly met. Chapter I is a brief statement covering computations, including The common criticism of superficiality is faced by the author logarithms (no logarithm table is included, however), significant in the preface. "The treatment is, of necessity, rather elemen- figures, and the plan of giving all answers in three figures without tary, and in some cases there is a lack of exactness in definitions. a decimal point so that the student must decide where to place it. This is intentional, inasmuch as we believe that the exact state- In Chapter 11, entitled "Gravimetric Analysis," the problems ment of laws and principles belongs to the standardized courses are confined to cases illustrating determinations in which the in the various related fields." gravimetric measurement is made upon a product separated by I n twenty-seven chapters of approximately equal length, the precipitation. Chapters 111, IV, and V include problems dealing author introduces the sun, mwn, stars, planets, and the earth; with titrimetric measurements (by volume only) involving rocks and minerals, the atmosphere, winds, and weather; the neutralization, oxidation-reduction, and precipitation reactions, atom and its radiation, and rsdioactivity; energy as related to res~ectivelv. Each t w e of Drohlem is introduced bv exam~les machines, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and chemis- with suggested method; of soiutian. I n these explanations most try; biochemistry; cleansing; solutions and colloids; water; editors would frown upon the almost ultra-personal style used. and textiles, cellulose, and plastics. "In choosing the topics for Also some instructon would prefer omitting any suggestion of the inclusion in the text, the test in each case has been whether the ine5cient method of solving problems stepwise by proportion. topic is frequently discussed in popular scientific articles in newsI n the interest of clearness and accuracy, the reviewer believes papers and magazines." Integration of this mass of material that items such as the following examples should be changed in is moderately successful a t the start, hut there is a distressing subsequent editions. Specific gravity and density should be lack of continuity before the end is reached. differentiated (problems 12, 105). The discussion of gram Superficial as the text itself is, room is left within the frame- equivalent seems to assume there is only one kind of hydrogen work for thorough and rigorous treatment of any subject if the and oxygen (page 11). Modem work seems to justify the teacher so desires. The problems and study questions at the formula (NH~)8[P(MorOlo)~] for the heteropoly complex, amend of each chapter, and the review questions in the appendix, monium molyhdiphosphate (problem 47). Zinc ammonium require an extensive knowledge of the subject matter. It seems phosphate is not hydrated (problem 69). The equivalent weight evident that much collateral reading and study is to he required of of phosphoric acid is not one-third of the molecular weight unless the student. I t is therefore very unfortunate that the bibliag- all three hydrogens react: practically, one reacts using methyl raphy ending each chapter refers to books by title only rather orange as the indicator, and two react using phenolphthalein than to page or chapter. (problems 89, 177). Therefore, one milliliter of any normal acid The style is stilted, and much of the phraseology clumsy. will not necessarily be equivalent to one milliliter of any normal There are few actual errors, hut some debatable topics have base (problems 112, 129, 130). Since one milliliter of standard been treated too dogmatically. Examples are "Today, argon is reactant is always equivalent to a definite amount of the desired used in the manufacture of all electric light bulbs.. . . In astorm constituent for a given reaction, the reviewer is convinced that
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titrimetric calculations are facilitated by using equivalency (titer) instead of miUiequiwlent weight, normality, and normality factor (problem 178). On page 24 the impression may be left that "stannous" and "stannic" chlorides react in solution as such rather than as the chlorostannite and chlorostannate ions. At least the answers to the problems should be appropriately labeled. The selection of problems seems to he adequate for the limited types of measurements covered. I n number and types of problems, as well as in the explanations therefor, the collection is less comprehensive than several existing works.
I ' R I S C I P IOF . ~ E.Z.CLNTERISG ECONOW I'KORLPHS Eayenr L Gratzl, A .\I C E.,Asrociate Profriiur of Econumics of Enginecrina. -. Stanford L'niverritv. American Socictv uf Ciwl Engineers. The Ronald Press CO.. New York City, 1938. iii 142 PP. 6 figs. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. (Paper back.) $1.00.
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This is a collection of two hundred ninety-four problems classified and arranged in chapters numbered and titled to agree with the chapter arrangement of the same author's book, PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING ECONOMY, reviewed in Industrial and Engines,ing Ckemirtry, News Edilion, 16, 430 (1938). The problems are taken from a number of sources, such as oersonal exoeriences. eneineerine .. reoorts.. the technical Dress. . . and from rnginrrring trnclmrs. There is practically no textual rnnttcr and answer- ;are trot given Simplifird rompound interest tables are included. Irrelevant matter has been freely inserted in the problems to assist in giving the student practice in defining the problem, something.which he misses in the usual oversimplified problem and constantly encounters in actual practice. As is obvious from the foregoing description, this pamphlet is useful only in the teaching of engineering economy, for which purpose it seems admirably adapted. FREDC. ZEISBERG
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THE SCIENTIST IN ACTION. William H. George, Royal Society Sorby Research Fellow, and Honorary Lecturer in Physics. University of Sbeffield. Emerson Books, Inc., New York City, 1938. 354 pp. 14 X 22 cm. $3.00. I n the preface the author states, "Science as a body of knowledge is well known because of the profound effects upon civilization of its application. Science as a type af action, as a way of doing things, is almost unknown outside of the research laboratory.. . . Studies of scientific method are common enough, but in this book the treatment is strictly scientific, and, therefore, throughout, uncompromisingly nonphilosopbical.. . . . Since I am noncommittal on the relationship between thought and action, the language of logic is seldom used. The research worker, as a purereason machine, is abandoned for the idea of a biological unit reacting to, and acting upon, an ever-changing environment." This markedly biological outline on the scientific method came as a surprise t o the author, for in the final chapter he confesses, "I confess that I wrote this book as the result of an attempt to clarify my mind on the relationship between experiment and theory, and more especially on the relationship between experimental and mathematical physics.. . . . None could be more surprised than I was when this scientific analysis of the problem led me t o a result so strongly biological. But I now regard the contents of Section B of theProceedings of fheRoyol Society (that section which deals with the biological sciences) as essentially relevant to the interpretations of the contents of Section A (dealing with the mathematical and physical sciences)." The major argument in the hook is directed toward the estab-
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lishment of the Description or Patterning Theory of Science, as opposed t o the Absolute Truth or Inner Reality Theory of Science. Many epigrammetic statements of scientists through the centuries are quoted to support the position taken, and Dr. George adds this one of his own, "If such words as 'reality' and 'existence' were banished entirely from scientific literature, any tears shed by research workers would be tears of joy, not of sorrow." The author's treatment of experimental material from the fields of physics, biology, and medicine is well handled, but his statements about chemical relationships are less exact. For example, any chemical storeroom keeper would take exception t o the statement on page 185, "In the stores of a chemical laboratory the bottles of chemicals are usually arranged on the shelves according to the periodic classification of the elements." And most teachers of science will take exception t o his sweeping generalization on page 324, "In so far as I have been able to find out by observation, inquiry, study of syllabi, examination papers, and recommended textbooks, the current practice in universities is: (1) Science, but no scientific method, is taught to science students, and (2) scientific method, but no science, is taught to a small proportion of arts students." JOHN R. SAMPEY FURMAN U~lvsasrru GREENV~LLE. SOU?& CAEOLINA
A C o u n s ~rN QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS.James E. Belcher and Guy Y. Williams. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts, 1938. x 264 pp. 22.5 X 29 cm. Paper $2.00, cloth 52.40.
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The laboratom . Dart of this book is written for either macro or crmirnirro tcchnic. The cxperirnmts spccify 0.5-ml. samples of 0.1 molar solutions of the ion,, and the instrurror ir dircctcd t o multiply this by t m if macro qtxantiricinrc drvireci. The author$ state in the preface that the work is designed for a one-semester course. The first sixty-four pages are devoted to the theoretical discussion which has become common to qualitative analysis texts. A rather unusual inclusion is the section on formulas, compounds, and nomenclature which is scarcely more than a summary of that in an elementary text. The prefixes "hypo" and "meta" are both explained as meaning "under" or "below." The orthophosphates are designated as sodium primary phosphate instead of primary sodium phosphate. The portion of the text on reactions, equations, and balancing oxidation reduction equations seems a useless repetition. I n fact the whole oxidation reduction section, including electropotentials, is treated in a very elementary fashion. The section on ionization introduces the concept of the activity coefficient and the Br$nsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases. In an apparent effort to avoid conflicts the authors employ a single arrow to indicate the dissociation of a strong electrolyte and a double arrow for the weak ones. Amphoteric substances are indicated as ionizing as both acids and bases according to the old conventional system. Each section of the theoretical part is followed by an excellent set of questions and problems, answers are given for the latter. The text is well written in an attractive style which the student should enjoy and find easy to comprehend. Part I1 of the book is devoted to the laboratory directions and is introduced by a section on general technic. The authors show an unusual optimism for the centrifuge when they say that complete separation will be accomplished in a few revolutions. The cations are separated into the usual groups with a series of seven or eight individual tests on each element preceding the group separations. Organic reagents are given appropriate recognition in the tests. Specific spot reactions are designated in many cases. Each treatment is labeled as a test and given a consecutive number. For example, under cadmium is Number 45 "Hydrogen Sulfide Test," Number 46 "Nitric Acid Test," Number 47 "Sulfuric Acid Test." The latter are, respectively, to oxidize the ~~~~~
