recent - ACS Publications

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RECENT BOOKS THE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY o*. ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS. Herbert S.Harned. Professor of Chemistry, Yale University, and Benton B. Owen. Associate Professor of Chemistrv. Yale University. (~m.ericanChemical Society ~ o n o g r a p hSeries No. 95.) Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1943. xxxvi 607 pp. Illustrated. 15 X 23 cm. 510. Shortlv after the enunciation of the tbeorv of electrolvtic dissociation hy Arrhrnms, it bcvamc evident that strong elcctrolytcs brhawd in a n apparently anomaluw mannrr. and in s p m of many attempts to S . Lewis and thr discovery of thc ionic strcngth principle by l.ests and Randall provided a much needed impetus to the study of the thermodynamic properties of electrolytes, both strong and weak, but a sound theoretical basis, which would permit a systematization of the results, was lacking. The publication of the Debye-Hiickel theory of interionic attraction in 1923 thus marked the commencement of a new era in the study of electrolytic solutions, and the past 20 years have seen the development of a considerable literature dealing with the physical chemistry of electrolytes. Among the outstanding contributors to this literature has been the group of researchers a t Yale University, directed by Professor Herbert S . Harned, whose work has been marked hy its exceptional thoroughness and accuracy. The hook under review is a monograph by Professor Harned and his collaborator Professor Owen. on the physical chemistry of electrolytic solutions; in view of their own important contributions to the subject, it is a book which they are supremely qualified t o write. The authors contend that the interionic attraction theory is so well established as to permit the development of the . uurelv . theoretical aspects before the discussion ol the experimental results. Consequently, in constructing the book the somewhat unusual urocedure has been adouted of Prescnting the basic theory fist, and fullowing this with a critical d~wus,ionof rhu data in the light of the theory. I n an admnccd trati,e of this kind such a pwsentation undoubtedly has many advantages. The material of the book falls into three main sections, the first of which, as just indicated, constitutes a theoretical introduction to the subject of electrolytic solutions. The abbreviated titles of the chapters are as follows: General Thermodynamic Introduction; Interionic Attraction Theory; Thermodynamic Properties of Solutions; Theory of Irreversible Processes; and Numerical Compilations. The physical constants used in conneckon with the latter differ from those now generally accepted; the authors explain this by the fact that the numerical calculations have extended over a period of years. I t would have been an advantage, however, if some of the values, such as the Debye constants, had been recalculated so as to conform with the newer values of the electronic charge and the Avogadronumber. The second section contains a discussion of the experimental results from the aspect of the individual physicochemical properties; the chapters are entitled: Irreversible Processes (Conduction, Transference Numbers, Viscosity, and Diffusion); Coulomb Forces and Ion Association; Thermochemical Quantities; Activity and Osmotic Coefficients; and Galvanic Cells. I t may be remarked that no attempt is made to give details of experimental technique; the methods are described briefly, however, and there are full references to the literature. Most of the space is devoted to a consideration of the results, especially in relation to the theory developed in the earlier chapters. The last portion of the book deals with the experimental data from the point of view of the electrolytes themselves, rather than from that of the methods of investigation. The chapter headings are: Hydrochloric Acid; Strong 1-1 Electrolytes; Polyvalent Electrolytes; Mixtures of Strong Electrolytes; and Weak Electrolytes. The work is concluded with an appendix containing many tables of data. Attention may be called to the complete omission af the theory of dipolar ions on the grounds that the subject is treated in another volume of the same series of monographs.

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The book is replete throughout with references to the literature, tables, and figures. I t is the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise in its field yet published, and i t is likely to remain the standard work for many years to come. For this reason, in particular, i t is unfortunate that some discussion of dipolar ions was not included, and that an effort was not made to recalculate certain results on the basis of the accepted values of physical constants. Because of its complete and detailed nature, this is not a hook to be read lightly. The authors think it necessary t o apologize for the fact that continuous reading of certain portions of the text may he found tedious or tiresome. They need not be concerned on this score, for there are very few chemists who will be able t o read mare than a few pages a t one sitting. The mathematics is by no means easy, and the complexity of the subject is indicated to some extent by the glossary of symbols which occupies over 13 pages! However, in the opinion of the reviewer the prime function of the book is as a work of reference; as such i t is a significant contribution to the literature of physical chemistry of which the authors, the editors of the series of monographs, and the publishers may well be proud. SAMUEL GLASSTONE B e ~ r a ~ s C*LIFORN,* u.

YOURCAREERIN CHEMISTRY.N o r m ~ lV. Carlisle, Vocational Guidance Editor, Scholastic, the National High School Weekly. E. P. Dutton and Company, Inc.; New York. 1943. xvi 251 pp. Illustrated. 14 X 20.5 cm. $2.50. "Your Career in Chemistry" is written by an author well known in the field of vocational guidance. It is a member of a series of similar works the author bas produced during the past few years, in particular in the fields of science. I n order to interest young men and women in any f i e l d a n d chemistry is no exception-it is necessary to describe t o them the opportunities available and how they might some day hecome a part of one of the multitudinous activities of a given profession. The author has succeeded very well indeed in presenting the significance of chemistry in its many phases of application and in describing what a chemist does. He has made these descriptions more interesting and vivid by introducing brief accounts of the roles played by persons responsible for the development of certain chemical industries, and by giving in a number of instances a historical background of the development. The fields of application described by the author includedagricultural chemistry, forest products, food industries, plastics. glass, synthetic rubber, textiles, petroleum, pharmilceuticals, explosives, chemical warfare, and metallurgy. This material is supplemented by a foreword entitled, "The Chemist: Molder of a Better Destiny" by C. M. A. Stine; a chapter by Henry G. Knight with the title, "The Composition of the Chemist"; and a second chapter by Francis J. Curtis, "Chemistry as a Career." I t is quite appropriate that two chapters' of the book are devoted to "Women in Chemistry." Today, more than a t any previous time, women are playing a very significant part in chemistry, particularly in our industrial, institutional, and technical laboratories. There is every reason to helieve that women will continue to assume these responsibilities after the war. A brief account is given of the educational requirements for a number of different types of positions in chemistry. This section could be enlarged to advantage so the reader would he able to obtain a more definite answer to some of his questions. A question of importance to the prospective chemist is the remuneration he can expect to receive in the various types of positions which might be available t o him. The wages and salaries listed by the author for a number of positions are certainly not too encouraging t o a young man who has chemistry in mind as a profession. Though i t is well known that salaries in the chemical profession are not comparable with those of a number of other professions, in spite of similar required periods of trsining, the reviewer is of the opinion that the wages and salaries intimated in the book are actually lower than those available.

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