RECENT BOOKS STATISTICAL 'hERM0DYNAMrCS. R.H. FOPU!CI THEO~TICAL QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS. L. Wnldbazrer, Ph.D. and E. A . GuggwzAssociate Professor of Chemistry, State University of Iowa. heim. The Macmillan Company, New York City. 1940. First Edition. The Blakiston Company, Philadelphia, 1940. x f 693 PP. 17.5 X 26.5 cm. $9.50. x 248 pp. 37 figs. 15 X 22 cm. $2.75. Pure thermodvnamics is a ~owerfultool but its aDnlication . According t o the publishers, "This book presents material fm reauires data which are sometimes difficult to obtain from exoeri-~r a two-semester course in quantitative analysis for sophomores." ment. Great progress ha9 hem made in physical chemistry heThe topics are: atomic and molecular structure; errors, sip cause statistical mechanics haq made it possible to compute prcnificant figures and computations; analytical calculations; ac- cise values of certain thermodynamic functions from existing intivity; precipitation; oxidation and reduction reactions; volu- formation and so supplement direct measurement. metric standards; voltaic cells and electrode processes; origin of STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS is a hook intended to bridge the electromotive forre; standard electrodes; oxidizing potentials; the gap hetween pure thermodynamics and pure statistical electroanalysis; indicators; buffer solutions; recent advances; mechanics. For those who have not the time or inclination t o applications of the theories in practice. study the detailed mathematical treatment there are many long The section on computations is logically developed and well discussions which can he read with much profit. The book is not supplied with illustrative problems. However, the valueof intro- one, however, to be mastered entirely by a casual reading. Even ducing titre, especially before normlity, is questionable in such a for a thorough student of pure thermodynamics, mastery of all of book, and the use of m for molarity (mols/L.) and M f o r rnolality the material in this book will require some intensive study. The subjects discussed a t length indude gases, crystals (includ(mols/1000 g. solvent) introduces the student t o an unusual ing lattice imperfections), chemical equilibria and evaporation, symbolism. The employment of activity coefficients is commendable, and liquids, solutions of non-electrolytes and of electrolytes, surface could be useful t o the sophomore analyst. Unfortunately, al- layers, electron theory of metals, chemical kinetics, and electric though the hands are those of Dehye and Hiickel, the voice is and magnetic properties. Though chemical kinetics admittedly that of Arrhenius, when the author explains the increased ac- is not thermodynamics, its inclusion in this book, written espetivity coefficient of KC1 in concentrated solutions wholly in terms cially for students of physics and chemistry, is appropriate and welrnme ~. ...... ~. of hydration. The text introduces casually and without definition such imA characteristic feature of the book is the detnilcd discusion portant terms as ionic strength (p. 98). free energy (p. 111). and that accompanies the introduction of a new definition, concept, isoelectric point (p. 114), which can hardly he familiar to sopho- or important theoretical condusian. .Though there is little atmore readers. A failure to describe'ather important concepts tempt to correlate theory with experiment, these interpretations clearly or adequately is due in part to their remature introduc- of the meanings and implications of the theory will assure the tion, which could be avoided by a differen sequence of topics. book an extensive and most appreciative audience. Oxidizing potential (p. 143) is defined with no reference to the T. F. YOUNG U - a s m ~ on carcrao hydrogen scale introduced under standard electrodes (p. 172). CRIC&M.ILLINOIS A number of defects in choice, arrangement, and treatment of material detract from the usefulness of this book, in comparison with the more complete theoretical discussions t o be found in THORPE'SDICTIONARY OP APPLIED CHEMISTRY.Volume IV. nearly all modern texts on quantitative analysis. J. F. Thorbe and M. A . Whitelev. Fourth Edition. Lone" FUNK T . GUCKER,JR. mans, Green and Co., Iuc., New York City. 1940; xxiii N O B T ~ B S ~ UNIVBRSITr XN 603 pp. 15 X 23 cm. $25.00. EVANSTON. ILLINOIS I n this volume. treatine .. subiects from Dieallic Acids throueh Feeding Stuffs,the policy iscontinued of ~umbiningthe dictionary C. F. Tvatcy and L. E. C. style C ~ n m s s ~ sTECENXCAL 's DICTION~RY. with the use of the monoyraph where ~ u c htreatment seems Hughes, Editors. The Macmillan Company. New York City. suitable. The monographs are fur the most part self-contained 1940. vi f 957 pp. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. 85.M). and combine a history of the subject with a concise account of its This new and authoritative, yet handy, work of reference con- modem position. The main object of the dictionary is "to tains thousands of terms drawn from about a hundred branches present t o the general chemist and the expert alike a summary and of scientific and technological activity. Same of the main fields account of the present day position of chemical science, and t o covered include acoustics and sound recording. aeronautics, enable them to find, couched in as simple language as possible, a astronomy, botany, building and construction, electric com- description of all that may he included in that term." The munications, engineering, geology and mineralogy, horology, il- volume is well printed and illustrated. lumination, medicine, surgery and veterinary science, metallurgy, meteorology, mining, photography and cinematography, physics and chemistry, printing and typography, radio and television, THEMEANING OP M m n a m r r c s . C. J. Keyser. Scripta M a t h e matica. New York City. 1939. 28pp. 13 X 19 cm. $0.25. textiles and allied trades, zodlogy.
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