Fortran IV in Chemistry. An Introduction to Computer-Assisted Methods
G. Beech, The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton. John Wiley & Sons,New York, 1975. x 303 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 15.5 cm. $23.50
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This lwuk contams d!l Furrrnn pnlgram* which f m the purposes of this rrvirn r r a r hitrarilg divided into two ratcyorws, rhose with closed-form solutions and those requiring the methods of numerical analysis. There are 18 closed-form programs, 21 using numerical methods. Among the 18 closed-form programs are those that enable users to: calculate molecular weights and percent composition; perform astatistical analysis on a s e t of integers; plot a histogram; solve elosed-form kinetic equations (A B C); calculate lattice energy; calculate the statistical distribution of particles; calculate a composite spectrum by summing overlapping bands; calculate thermodvnamic oarameters: calculate ervstal
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fur certain atomic orbitals. Five of the 21 programs involving numerical methods are linear regression programs. The applications are: calculation of enthalpy of vaporization; hyperbolic curve fitting; calculation of a rate constant; calculation of a standard cell potential; and analysis of ion-selective electrode data. The remaining 16 programs include the following: solve systems of simultaneous linear equations; perform polynomial regression analysis; perform nonlinear regression analysis using both the erid search method and the method 01 ctrrprst de3cent; calculate rigen\,d~es and eipenrcztorr of Hermitian matrices using Jucobi'a methud; ~.alrulatrpdvpn.tic arid titration curves; resolve a spectrum into overlapping Gaussian bands; perform an optimization of band length in a particle in a hox calculation; and analyze a digitized nmr soectrum for ~ e a oositians. k
books on computer applications in chemistry. Also the literature survey (through 1974) is useful. K . Jeffrey Johnson University of Pittsburgh Pinsburgh. Pennsylvania 15260
Thermodynamics
N . A. Gokeen, Michigan Technological University. Tecbscience Incorporated, Hawthorne, Ca., 1975. x 460 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $19.90.
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The latest issue of Books in Print lists a total of some 30 books with the titles Thermodynamics, Chemical Thermodynamics, Introduction to Chemical Thermodynamics, and Thermodynamics for Chemists. An author needs an outstanding book of any of these titles if he is to catch the attention of the teachers of thermodynamics. The book under review has some outstanding features, but the choice of topics and the depth of treatment may not be the choice that other teachers would make. N. A. Gokcen's "Thermodynamics" is a carefully written, unusually error free book. The presentation of the subject matter is strictly classical. The author plans a companion volume to follow on statistical thermodynamics. Problem solving utilizing available literature sources of thermodynamic data is stressed. There are many worked out numerical examples throughout
the text. and a total of over 150 oroblems to w h h~.Inwr.r\or p.lrr~nlnnswprs are y w n t u olrwt "5. Tht: I,owk cmld lhr renmmendvd to those who desire t o review and upgrade their knowledge of thermodynamics through self-study. There is a brief introductory chapter on definitions followed by a 40-page chapter on mathematical techniques useful in thermodynamic applications which includes theory uf functions of several independent variables, differentiation, and line integrals. Chapter 3 discusses the first law and chapter 4 the seeond law. The second law is presented both by use of the Carnot cycle and in an optional section by the method of Caratheodory. The method of Caratheodory appears quite understandable for the students who have mastered the section on mathematical teehniques. There follow chapters on entropy and related functions, Helmoltz and Gibbs energy, the third law, phase equilibria, fugaseity and activity, and ideal and real solutions. A chapter on partial molal quantities barely mentions partial molal volume but goes into great detail on partial molal free energy of hinary and ternary noneleetrolyte solutions. The chapter on standard Gibbs energy change of reactions stresses use of tabulations of thermodynamic data especially the JANAF Tables (US.Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1971). All or part of 35 JANAF Tables are reproduced in the book. Appendix I lists 24 tabulations of evaluated data useful in thermodynamic calculations. Two chapters on solutions of electrolytes and reversible galvanic cells cover the ther(Continued an page AS92)
tains an absolute minimum of documentation of these programs. The listings contain very few comment cards. Neither storage requirements nor timings are given. The book contains 210 references. There Appendix A contains the listing of a program to draw two-dimensional contour diagrams using an incremental plotter. Appendix B is the author's profile of key words which is used by an information retrieval system to search C.A. Condensates. Wolverhampton is in Great Britain and so a number of the references are to materials probably not readily available to American chemists. The book is replete with typographical errors. The level of documentation is marginal. The author does not consider optimization of code a high priority item. The book is too exoensive to reouire of students. applicat.m\ in chrmlatry. I dre recummend that rhe bwk br ordered Ir, dvpartmrntal lihrdrirs 'I'hcrr arc svmr intereking programs not found in other Volume 54. Number 9, September 1977 / A391
book reviews madynamics of aqueous electrolyte solutions. The Debye-Huckel Theory for activity coefficients is introduced with a minimum of background. Moderately dilute electrolytes are treated with the Bronsted-Guggenheim modification of the Dehye-Huckel Theory. Apparent molal enthalpy of solution and partial molal enthalpy of electrolyte solutions arr discussed briefly but clearly. A special topics chapter on phase and Gibbs energy diagrams and surface tension, with brief paragraphs on gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields concludes the book. It is interesting to compare both the present book and other thermodynamics books with the sequence of topics in teaching chemical thermodynamics suggested several years ago by F. D. Rassini (''Pure and Applied Chemistry," 18, 405 (1969)). The present book contains most of Professor Rossini's suggested topics in s not too different sequence. The main point of departure ison the use of the Carnot cycle. "Thermcdynamics" by N. A. Gokcen could be used as the basis for a goad course in classical thermodynamics a t the graduatesenior level. The hoak does appear to he slanted a little more to the interests of chemical engineering, metallurgy, and materials science students than t o the interests of many present day chemistry majors. H. Lawrence Clever E m q University Atlanta. Georgia 30322
A392 / Journal of Chemical Education
Quantum Theory of the Chemical ~ o n d
H. F. Hameka, University of Pennsylvania. Hafner Press, A Division of Macmil-
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Ian PublishingCa., New Ybrk, 1975. vii 312 pp. Figs. and tables. 24.5 X 15.5 cm. $16.95.
Two major trends appear to be affecting the teaching of undergraduate and beginning graduate training in physical chemistry. The first is the fact that, in keeping with physics, the primary data of our science are receding rapidly from direct sensory perception. The second is that average performance levels of students, as measured by SAT scores, ete., are receding rapidly from reasonable levels. The ability to reason abstractly and to manipulate symbols is measured by the second trend; the need to dosoisimposed by the first. The effect of synergy here is ohvious. Having established the necessity far a text at this level, it pains me to have to report that I d o n o t believe this
