Introduction to chemistry

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and control his environment.The book mieht ,. also heuseful to those srhool aystrms that haw ~ u t d w laburntury r facilities uhich include n pond. I'rohaldy many uf these ponds wuld br made more useful in outdrmr lahwatoq programs if some of the procedures outlined in this book were followed. ~~

ROBERT J. DURR Haworth High Schwl Kakomo, IN 46901

2 This technical monograph written to provide "a readily available source coverine" the imoortant technical asoects of culturine fish" might in certainsituations be used asa reference work by secondary school students and their teachers. In those areas of the country where fish culturing is an important business, teachers may find portions of this book helpful in showing the application of certain chemical concepts to a practical situation familiar to their students. Students directly involved in fish culturine aDerations should also find the book usefuias a source of technical information as well as a link between the chemistry of the classroom and their involvement in finfish aquaculture. The hook consists of eight chapters covering the following major topics: numbers of producers and farm value of cultured food, bait, tropical and goldfish; environmental factors important to culturing operations; types of culturing facilities; methods for maintenance and improvement of ponds; methcds of culturing specific species; nutrition and feeding; fish diseases and their control; and processing and marketing. Portions of four of these chapters should be of particular interest to students and teachers of chemistry. The discussion of the roles of oxygen and toxic substances as environmental factors in Chapter 2 (oxygen is also discussed again in Chapter 4) allows the student to see the practical applications of solubility and concentration. In discussing concentrations of toxic materials, the authors give useful analogies to help clarify the meaning of the terms parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), and parts per trillion (pptr). The treatment of pH and alkalinity explains the carbon dioxide/carbonic acidbicarbonate equilibrium system and the effects of plant photosynthesisand respiration on this system to oroduce fluctuatine DH levels throuehout a 24-hour oeriod. This material could be &ed to show the Dractica~anolicatkns of ionic equilibria and buffering systems. The discussion of ewmtial nutrients and diet formulatirm in Chapter 6 could jlluitrate iimilarities and diffrrrncts hetwern the necdsof fish and men in ruursescuv~ringthe chemistry of food and nutrition. Although the problems are sometimes difficult because of mixed metric and English measurements, they are basically dilution problems. The general discussion mieht helo students to see the value of such calcuiitions, while specif~c'prohlerkcuuld he used I U Ihallrngc the more ahlr stud~nt.Although the problems are not solvd using the dimensiunal analysis format, the capable student should be able to make the transition. Although a technical monograph for those actively involved in finfish aquaculture, this book could be of use to teachers and students of chemistry, especially in areas where fish culture is an important business. This monoeraoh could serve as a source of oractical aooli.. cations tostimulateinterest fur thwr who havesome iamiliar~rywith fish culture and as a sourcr ofsprcilic inlormation lor rhuse directly involved in this husir~ess.

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Introduction to Chemistry T. R. Dickson, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 3rd Ed. 1979, $20.95.

1 This third edition has incurpurated a good blrnd of theoretival and descriptive chemistrv that cuuld be adaptrd to proponents UI rithcr method. Newer topics such as environmental effects, medical-biochemistry, and nuclear energy not only have their own chapters, but also they are blended throughout the body of the text. The other topics are typical ones found in a highschool text. Having 425 pages and 18chapters, this book isjust about the correct length for a year course. Each chapter begins with a list of objectives and new terms. Sample problems are shown throughout, and there is a collection of problems and questions at the end of each. One of the largest drawbacks of the text is that the book is entirely black. white, and brown. There are no colored diagrams or pictures. The print is very large, reminiscent of some lower-level texts. The text is appropriate for a general-level high school class with students of average reading ability. I t would not be appropriate for higher-level or accelerated classes. The studentguide is excellent. It doesa better jab than the text in giving objectives,defining terms,showing problem set-ups, etc. It also gives self-tests and programmed reviews. I t could be adapted to most high school texts. Except for the special topics, there is nothing of particular merit to cause a teacher to switch to the text. However, as a supplemental text or for a teacher adopting hooks for the first time, it could be considered. The student guide, on the other hand, should be considered for general use or for students needing extra help.

REBECCA STRICKLIN Oak Hills High School Cincinnati. OH 45211

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ELNA M. CLEVENGER National Cathedral School Washington. DC 20016

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Journal of Chemical Education

The book is intended for a one-semester course in chemistry. This is an ambitious undertaking because most students could spend a full year on these topics. However, the book is divided into 18chapters, and that is fine for a one-semester course. The objectives listed a t the beginning of each chapter are of goad quality and are adequate in number. They should be valuahle aids in lesson plan preparations. Each chapter opens with "Terms to Know" and also contains other significant terms in bold print throughout the chapter. There are some very good illustrations, especially in chapter one. The formula-writing drill as presented in this text will require additional work by the teacher. The same holds true for equation balancing. The section concerning the energy crisis omits a point that 1feel needs to be made: the use of petrochemicals to produce electricity restricts their use for many other products. The text does a good job of introducing chemistry to students who may or may not take more chemistry courses. PIERREMARION The Aldine High School 11101 Airline H O U S ~ OTX ~ . 77039