REvrsw oa PRE-COLLEOE MATHEMATICS.C.3. Lapp, Professor of Physics, F. B. Knight, Professor of Educational Psychology, and H. L. Rieta, Professor of Mathematics, all a t the University of Iowa. Scott, Foreman and Company, Chicago, 1934. iii 124 pp. 21 X 26.5 cm. $1.00. This is a workbook providing explanations of-d drill inthe fundamentals of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, with the major emphasis on algebra. It is the joint product of a professor of mathematics, a professor of physics, and a professor of educational psychology, each contributing his own point of view and his own experience. Its content is based upon: (1) first-hand experience with college freshmen, (2) actual analysis of the requirements of first courses in college mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and (3) research on frequency of errors anmug freshmen. The authors suggest three specific and valuable uses of this workbook: (1) supplementary material for fist-year college courses in mathematics, (2) preparation for college courses in physics or chemistry, and (3) a general review for high-school seniors. With the possible exception of the section on geometry, the book is self-sufficient,even t o the point of providing space for the student's work. An Answer Key, on perforated sheets, is given in the back. To each section of work in which problem solving is of importance on the college level, sets of carefully constructed problems have been attached. The choice of illustrative and problem material is especially gratifying. The student is given a painless introduction t o many physical terms and is enabled t o see that many common relations can be expressed as simple formulas, like the easy ones in a high-school mathematics book. Some might object to the definitions of temperature coefficients as given on p. 67 and to the lack of even a word of explanation regarding the symbol delta used there. Also, a more cheerful cover than the solemn black and gray would make the book more attractive to the eye. But these are mere quibbles, for "PreCollege Mathematics" is an excellent workbook and meets a distinct need long felt by teachers of first-year college courses in the sciences. JOHNH. YOE
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that is given to the student in these sections, which in themselves are well done but not entirely modem, is largely disregarded in dealing with the reactions and properties that are mentioned subsequently. Very few reactions of strong electrolytes are represented by ionic equations. Ionization is presented from the standpoint of the Arrhenius theory. Its inadequacy for strong electrolytes is not mentioned, nor is there any suggestion of the modem views of acids and bases. The questionable assertion on p. 271, ". . . i t is now commonly believed that water is the cause of the dissociation or ionization of molecules of electrolytes in solution," (italics are the author's) illustrates an apparent general tendency for accuracy of statement to be considered less essential than a method of presentation. Although oxidation and reduction are explained (pp. 214,552) as vnlence changes csuscd by loss and gain of electrons, equations involving such changes are balanced by an oxygen method (pp. 347,509). Errors of fact are: "Hydrogen is always electropositive. ." (p. 205); "dry hydrogen chloride does not react with metals t o give hydrogen" (p. 279); "artificial rubies are chemically identical with natural ones" (p. 496) Lcf. 0 ' L s . m ~RouEn, . AND PAPLPISH. Science, 80, 4 1 2 4 (Nov. 2, 1934)l; "the ferric iron test is due to the formation of ferric sulphocyanate" (p. 547). The method of &ding a formula from percentage composition (p. 196) is somewhat misleading because of being applied t o a single molecule with the impossible result "Ci.&.ss." which "does not therefore represent the true number of atoms" in the molecule. The ratio does, however, represent the true number of gram atoms in one hundred grams of the compound. This is a statistical calculation in reality and is best represented as such. The book abounds in well-chosen drawings and illustrations. There are many excellent descriptions of laboratory and technical processes. It is an the whole a very interesting and wellwritten book and it reflects the author's reputation for being a stimulating teacher. Unfortunately, his primary objective has been to rearrange traditional material when much of the theoretical part of the latter seems t o need revision because of the new knowledge of matter that has been obtained in recent times. E. A. WILDMAN
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EABLHA COLLBOB ~~
RICHMOND, INDIAN*
UNITSIN CREM~STRY. Russell S. Howard, Head of the Science Department. Lyons Township High School and Junior College, La Grange, Illinois. Henry Holt and Company, New York City, 1934. viii 756 ~ x v mpp. 950 problems. 356 figs. Appendix with 22 tables. 13 X 19.5 cm. $1.80.
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I n his preface the author makes no claim t o uniqueness other
than for the advantages t o be derived b k u s e of hisdeparture from the usual arrangement of subject mattq. The book is written from the standpoint of the Unit Method (see the author's article: "Some Asnects of the Unit Method of Teachine Chemistry" [J. Ctr~nr.EDUC., 8, 910-8 (May, 1931)l). 1Gtead of having thirty or forty chapters he rearranges his material into eight Units. The ideal is for each unit t o be a self-contained whole, in so far as the subject matter will allow, so that the student may learn mare efiectively by confining his attention for the time t o a "limited ohjective." The titles of the Units are: I. Matter Undergoing Changes; 11. Solution and Crystallization; 111. General Properties of Gases; IV. The Atom and the Molecule; V. Ionization, Acids, Bases, and Salts; VI. Non-Metals and their Relatives; VII. The Metals and Their Compounds: VIII. The Nature of Carbon Compounds. The objective is accomplkhed very well in all of the TJnits but the first. I n it a number of chemical changes are introduced in a very elementary way but the exclusion of all modem knowledge of the structure of matter detracts from its effectiveness. I t would be more challenging t o an intellectually active student if he were given a part, a t least, of the electrical theory of matter a t this time. The last Unit is an esoeciallv . eood elementarv review of organic compound^. Ions ore not mentioned until one-third of the way through the buuk and ntomic structure nut until p. 4 3 . The new information
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THEPHYSICALBASISOF THINGS. ~ o h nA. Eldridge, Professor of Physics, University of Iowa. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.. New York City, 1934. xiv f 407 pp. 136 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.75. This book, one of the International Series in Physics, is written "not for the physics specialist but for thqstudent of general interests." It is intended for "those who vill look into nature with curiosity. I t does not aim primarily to give information but to give appreciation of the meaning of modern physics." With the use of only the simplest mathematics the author endeavors to bridge the gap between the concepts f a m e d in an elementary physics course and those by which the modern physicist views the physical world. If the reader weathers the first two chapters on Relativity. which are supposed "to throw the reKder precipitately into modem physics" and to "cause some disturbance to complacency," he will find himself interested in a logical and lucid exposition of physical principles and laws. The only difficulty a physics layman might find would be in understanding the last two chapters on the newer ohvsics. IJsing the dcrrlopmcnt of the quarttunt theory as a connectmfi rhrrnd rhr nuthor lends the rrndrr through t h v phmomma of the famil~arkinetic theory of molecular motton, cltrtrons, protom, and electromagnetic waves to a discussion of the quantum theory; then through X-ray phenomena t o the theories of atomic strueture, with special chapters devoted to molecular rotation and vibration, radioactivity, and nuclear physics; and finally by easy transition into present quantum mechanics. This text should prove instructive and useful to those who are desirous of obtaining insight into the mazes of modern physics, hut have been deterred hitherto by dismaying mathematical
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