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Znjrared and R a m a n Spectra of Polyalomic ?dolecules. By GERHARD HERZBERG.xiii 632 pp.; 174 fig. New York: D . Van Nost,rand Company, 1915. Price: $9.50. This represents a continuation of Professor Heraberg’s series of volumes of which the first. two were Atomic Spectra an,d Atomic Slritctirre and iMolecular Spectra and Molecular Structure Z . Diatomic A4olecules. A final volume, still in preparat,ion, will cover the electronic spectra of polyatomic molecules. The reader familiar with the two earlier volumes will find t.he present book is of the saine high quality. The basic theory of vibrational and rotational spectra is clearly presented, with emphasis on physics rather than mathematics; where involved mathematical derivations are omitted, the results are explained in physical terms. This theory is then applied t o observed spectra; and the author has done a great service in critically reviewing the data relevant t o most of the simpler molecules (under thirteen atoms) which have been studied. There is.a brief chapter on applications of rotation-vibration spect,ra t o thermodynamic calculations and t o the study of intermolecular forces. The book can be recommended without qualihation. Every worker i n the field of molecular spectra, whether just beginning his st,udy or already deep in research, will find it invaluable, and the reader who wishes t o learn what is now known of molecular structure from such spectroscopic studies will find i t a clear and complet,e presentation. We were a bit disappointed in Professor Hemberg’s use of group theory-or rather in his efforts t o avoid direct use of i t . We believe t h a t if one wishes t o determine the number of vibrations of various symmetry species for a given molecule, it is easier t o use one simple formula and character tables (both easily remembered or reproduced) than t o use the author’s Table 36, for which one must figure out (for example) “ t h e number of sets of nuclei on a two-fold axis but not on any other element of symmetry that does not wholly coincide with t h a t axis”. I n other words, we believe i n using the tools which mathematicians have kindly provided for us. However, we suspect that most of Professor Heraberg’s readers will agree with him rather than with us. We repeat t h a t the book can be recommended with enthusiasm, both t o workers i n the field of molecular spectra and t o those who wish t o learn either the methods used or the information won by spectroscopists. BRYCEL . CRAWFORD, JR.
The Donnan Membrane Equilibrium. By S . G. CHAUDHURY, D.Sc., Assistant Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, University of Calcutta; formerly Physical Chemist, School of 111 pp. Santragachhi, Howrah, India: A . P. Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. xv Bhattacharya. Price: Rs. 7-8-0. Dr. Chaudhury’s short monograph-its text could be accommodated on about sixty-five pages of this Journal-is a n overly condensed presentation prinlarily of some theoretical aspects of the Gibbs-Donnan membrane equilibrium. The emphasis is placed on the elaboration of Chaudhury’s own theory of the membrane equilibrium, which is based on the distribution law of Boltemann. A considerable amount of previously unpublished theoretical work by Chaudhury is presented i n this connection, which may be of some interest t o those who are specially concerned with the theoretical aspects of the membrane equilibrium. No attempt is made t o present the different theories in a clear and adequate manner, t o correlate them, and t o discuss their relative merit,s. The booklet does not represent a balanced review of the field of membrane equilibria; moreover it is difficult t,o read and the unusual number of printing and other errors is disturbing. This monograph will t.herefore be of no particular ipterest to the general physicochemical reader. KARLSOLLNER.
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Theoretical Chemistry. By SAMUEL GLASSTONE. viii 515 pp.; 59 fig. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1944. Price: $5.00. Professor Glasstone’s purpose in writing this book is indicated by its subtitle: “An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, nd Molecular Spectra for Chemi
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ists.” He writes in his preface, “This book alone is not necessarily sufficient t o s u p p l i the detailed instruction which would permit the reader to use quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics as tools for himself. I t s primary object is t o help him understand clearly how they have been employed by others t o obtain results of chemical significance.” The chapter headings are : “Quantum Numbers”; “Quantum Mechanics”; “Quantum Theory of Valence”; “Molecular Spectra: Diatomic Molecules”; “Molecular Spectra: Polyatoniic Molecules” ; “The Electronic Configurations of Diatomic Molecules” ; “Statistical Mechanics”; “Statistical Thermodynamics and Intermolecular Forces.” The book has the virtues and the faults familiar t o readers of the author’s earlier books. The topics are presented in readable style; and the mathematical derivations are in general clearly traced through, with a minimum of those sudden leaps which are bewildering t o a student even though obvious t o a n author. (It is questionable whether the student t o whom this volume is addressed would be familiar with Lagrange’s equation (page 204) or with the Euler-Maclaurin summation formula (page 374) ; but these are exceptions.) Thus the book will be of use t o the student or instructor who wishes t o refer t o a reasonably detailed exposition of a standard topic, such as the quantum-mechanical treatment of t h e hydrogen molecule, or the elements of normal coordinates. Unfortunately, the book does not give a n integrated critical exposition of fundamentals; in our opinion, a studcnt would not gain from this text a real insight into the basic physical meanings of quantum and statistical mechanics, or a real feeling for these disciplines. There are some surprising omissions. Thus, we found no discussion of simultaneous eigen values, or of the properties of angular momentum. The energy levels of the symmetric top are not derived. K O derivacions of selection rules are given-though this topic is certainly no more difficult than the evaluation of integrals in the hydrogen-molecule problem, which is given in rather complete detail. The Born-Oppenheimer theorem is not even alluded to. We feel t h a t the book would have been more useful had the author included some of t h e valuable empirical correlations such as Badger’s rule, bond radii, etc.; but this means only t h a t we should like t o take the adjective “theoretical” less strictly than the author. We also feel t h a t i t would have been helpful to include some problems, on which t h e student might test his comfortable feeling of understanding. There are a few misstatements which we noticed: e.g., the dimensions of the polarizability ellipsoid (page 195) are not given by the components of the polarizability, but by their reciprocal square-roots. Nor can a power series be expressed in general by a simple exponential function (page 181). But these slips are not serious. BRYCEL. CRAWFORD, JR. T h e Theory of X - r a y Diffraction i n Crystals. By W. H. ZACHARIASEN. 255 pp. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1944. Price: $4.00. In this new book the distinguished President of t h e recently formed American Society for X-ray and Electron Diffraction has given a resume of two important branches of the field of crystal analysis: (i) the theory of symmetry groups and lattices, and (ii)the theory of diffraction in perfect and imperfect crystals. The discussion is based on lecture notes given t o students i n this field a t the University of Chicago, and forms a worthy companion volume to the book on X - r a y Crystallography by Buerger, recently issued by the same publishers. For use as a textbook for students not already familiar with x-ray theory and technique it will require amplification of a n illustrative nature such as can be found in the book of Compton and Allison. The treatment of the symmetry groups of lattice structures occupies about one-third of the book, inclusive of t w o appendices on dyadics and group theory. This condensation of the theory of space groups into some seventy-five pages is made possible only by a purely algebraic treatment, which is based on the dyadic notation of Gibbs. To many readers this may seem like a severe dehydration of a n already dry subject. However, the discussion is clearly written, and i n view of the peculiar poverty of the literature in English on this
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