book reviews

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book reviews Chemistry and Our World

Mundiyath Venugopilan, Western Illinois Universitv. Haroer and Row. New \'ark. 1975. xi;+ 41i5bp. Figs.and Lhles 26.5 X 16 rm. 511.95. "Chemistry and Our World" attempts t o teach all of the "modern" asoects of the role of chemistry in our lives. As such, it spends about 175 pages giving a brief, nonmathematieal introduction to the basic concepts of chemistry such as the scientific method and the principles of measurement, matter, energy, atoms, molecules, compounds, chemical changes, and nuclear transformations. This introduction is followed by approximately 275 pages dealing with most of the important "relevant" topics which are usually covered in such a course. There are chapters on industrial chemistry (25 pages), organic chemistry (40 pages), polymers (20 pages), biochemistry (85 pages), thechemistry of the soil (15 pages), the chemistry of the hydrosphere (25 pages), the chemistry of the atmosphere (30 pages), and the role of energy in our lives (45 pages). The problem of pollution is prominently discussed in the last four chapters and mentioned in several others, where appropriate. Another subject of current interest, drugs, is discussed ip the chapter dealing with biochemistry. The writing style is generally good and the book is easy t o read. There are, however, many factual and other scientific errors in the 1 < 1 r . For inctnnre, in the chapter on hns~c aetinitlms, the ~ u t h mstates It131 "the h t ~ r ii &tined as n v h m t equal tu 1000 cm' " Later in the same chapter, he hriefly discusses the need for expressing scientific quantities t o the correct number of significant figures. In thevery next chapter, inone of very few mathematical problems in this text, the molecular weight of aspirin is calculated to four significant figures from the weight of one molecule of aspirin expressed to one significant figure. Manv of the other shortcominrs of this subject matter without becoming encyclopedic in length. As such, many questions which might naturally arise in the mind of the student as he reads the book are not even mentioned. As an examole. in thediscussion

later mention of synthetic detergents ineludes no mention of the reasons why similar scums will not he farmed. A oarticularlv imoottant omission.. esne. . rinllv in view of the heaw,emohasis eiven to the n,le uf encrm. In the ~nwlernu d d , i* that 181 thr entire sul~jett (11 therrnwl!nnm~c+.The discussion of the problem of the waste heat rejected by electrical generating plants leaves thestudent with no hint that there are theoretical limitations on the efficiency of the enerev conversion oraeess. Such an omission

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the conversion process. David N. Bailey Lebanon Valley College Annvik, Pennsylvania 17003 A388 1 Journal of Chemical Education

Chemlcai Analvsls. An Advanced Text and Reference. ~ e i o n d Edltlon (McGraw-Hill Series In Advanced Chemistry)

list of scientists who went over the drafts of the various chapters is indeed impressive. In summary, this version is a worthy successor to the now-classic "first edition."

Herbert A. Laitinen, University of Florida, and Walter E. Harris, University of Alberta. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New Yark, 1975. xix 611 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 17 em.

John T . Stock University of Connecticut

Stom. 06266

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In the library possessed by a typical practicing chemist, there are usually just a few works that can he justifiably labeled "constant companion." To the analytical chemist, Laitinen's "Chemical Analysis" definitely bears this label. Students who have gone through courses for which "Laitinen" was the assigned text do well to keep this single-volume source of the principles and practice of analytical chemistry. For the production of a second edition, Walter E. Harris, Professor of Analytical Chemistry a t the University of Alberta, has become joint author with Professor Laitinen. A reviewer of the first edition [J.R. Hayes, J. CHEM. EDUC... 37.. 439 (1960)l, coneratulatrd the author un a tin; arhiwemtnt. A sincle.sentencr zweisment uf the new d i t i w could 1,e written by rhangin:: "tin*" tu "superb." Like the original, the new edition is designed mainly as a text for the advanced undergraduate-graduate level student. The wide coverage, inclusion of many numerical problems, and extensive bibliographies will obviously appeal to those who teachor practice analytical chemistry. Although praced u d details can hardly be included in a work of this type, the various topics are illustrated by reference to goad selections of applications. As might he expected, separations are given extensive treatment. After dealing succinctly with classical methods such as precipitation and volatilization, the theory of liquid-liquid extraction is developed. This leads into an admirably concise but informative treatment of the various forms of chromatoeraohvand their uses. In view of the

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tion to their treatment of membrane potentials and ion-selectiveelectrodes, the authors suggest, as one probable cause, the assumption that theglass membrane is permeable to hvdroeen .. ,. ions. The evidence that this aswmptllm 1s fnlw 13 then presented. 'I'hc rrentmmt uf chemrunl standnrds and nddnrional rnntrrln. on klnmcs uith rcsp~xt to automation are other welcome inclusions. Although instrumental methods of analysis are stressed, the importance and intrinsic accuracy of classical methods are not overlooked. We are not allowed to foreet the sir-

compactness, despite the inclusion of much new material. This has been by judicious shortening of the treatment, or by elimination, of a few of the topics in the first edition. Although the style of writing is compact, it is very readable. The entire work has the ring of authority, as is to be expected from the prestige of theauthors. However, it is significant that Laitinen and Harris devote nearly one-half of the preface t o the acknowledgment of the help received from others. The

What 1s Sclence For?

Bernard Dixon, Harper & Row, New York, 1973. 256 pp. 14 X 21.5 cm. $7.50 hardbound, $3.95, softbound. For "the merit and emolument of man" was the opinion of Francis Bacon. Dixon, editor of New Scientist, contends that this is still s fundamental goal of science as is the coeval impetus to intelligibly understand the world. Interestingly, Dixon does not comment upon the historical usage of the word "emolument." In Bacon's time, it meant benefit and comfort and that is the theme which Dixon stresses as the always proper social ouroose of science and teehnoloev. .., Yet. a t least in the 11 3 .emolument now rommonl\. rignifies profit derived from employment ur compensation for the performance of services. In an ironical sense,this transformation of meaning parallels the actual change in direction that has occurred in the purpose of much of science and technology. The condemnation of the subordination of

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tions of the humane motive which has been regarded as science's mison