RECENT BOOKS

ELE~NTARY PRINCIPLES OP QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. T. R. Hogness, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Chicago, and Werren C. Johnson. Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Chicago. Henry Holt and Co., New York City, 1938. x + 325 pp. 27 figs. 14 X 22 cm. $1.40. In this textbook, the authors have abridged and modified their

earlier hook, Q~ALITATIVE ANALY~I~ m n CHEMICAL EQUILI- an rm, which was reviewed in a recent number of this Journal 114,448 (1937)l. Their purpose was to adapt the text for use in schools where qualitative analysis is given as a part of the course in eeneral chemistry, rather than as a separate course.

The presentation of the theoretical portion of the subject, which occupies approximately two-thirds of the present text, remains unchanged, except for the elimination of the quantitative treatment of oxidation-reduction equilibria and half-reactions, and the omission of a few of the more di5cult problems. The outstanding clarity of the dincussion of the concept of chemical equilibrium, and the nnutsual wealth of authoritative informa- tion which is presented, were commented upon in the earlier review. The writer heartily concurs in the favorable opinion of the previous reviewer as to the excellence of this portion of the text.

A minor improvement might have been made in the discussion of amphoteric hydroxides, by the formulation of such anions as zincate and aluminate as hydroxyl complexes. Following the discussion of complex ions in the preceding chapter, the presen- tation of this viewpoint-at least, as an alternative to the tra- ditional on-would have seemed especially appropriate.

In the portion of the book which deals with the properties of the ions and procedures for their identification, only ammonium, sodium, potassium, silver, lead, mercury, copper, tin, zinc, man- ganese, iron, chromium, aluminum, calcium, and barium, among the cations, have been included, while the treatment of anions is limited to chloride, nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, and sulfide. To some teachers, this restriction may appear too drastic, even for a short course. A brief discussion of the use of the centrifuge has been added to the section on manipulative procedures. The comprehensive table of physical properties of compounds, which constituted a distinctive feature of the earlier hook, has been omitted.

The hook is hound in paper covers, an innovation which results in a markedly lower price and increased convenience in handling, a t the cost, however, of greatly decreased durability. This seems unfortunate, since the text contains so much theoretical material likely to he valuable to the student who pursues further work in chemistry, that it would be well worth preserving.

Typographical errors have been almost completely avoided. On page 136, however, "Fe++" appears instead of "FeC++." It is doubtful whether such pentavalent cations as Asct+++ and Sh+++++, page 182, have any actual existence; and the state- ment on page 257 that manganates in the solid state are violet is undoubtedly erroneous.

Although the preliminary experiments are instructive and the procedures are adequately described, the authors have made no attempt to include the most recent improvements in analytical procedure, nor to furnish detailed directions for meeting every possible m c u l t y which might be encountered in practice. Em- phasis is placed upon the application of principles, rather than upon instruction in analytical technic. This treatment is in accord with the authors' main purpose to develop a thorough understanding of the subject of chemical equilihrium-which they have admirablv fulfilled.

P H Y ~ ~ C A L CHEMISTRY. 1. N . Brpnsted, Professor in Copenhagen University. Translated by R. P. Bell, M.A., BSc., Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. Foreword by F. G. Donnan, D.Sc.. F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the University of London. Translation from the 1936 Danish edition. The Chemical Publishing Co. of New York, Inc., New York City, 1938, ex- clusive American agents. xv + 394 pp. 71 figs. 13.5 X 21.5 cm. $5.00.

This book is the basis of instruction in physical chemistry in the author's classes in Copenhagen University and the Danish Technical College. I ts small size belies its content, for it is packed with good things from cover to cover. Condensation is achieved by the use of the thermodynamic approach and total lack of a discussion of experimental methods. The only subjects omitted that are found in the average text are the fundamental laws of chemical combination, and so forth, any discussion of the relationship between constitution and physical properties (except the parachor). and thermochemistry per se.

The thermodynamics of Willard Gihbs is used throughout, modified in the section an electrochemistry by the introduction of Guggenheim's electrochemical potential and Bry(nsted's electro- motive potential of metals. However, the kinetic approach is not entirely ignored. Maxwell's and Boltzmann's equations are derived, in addition to the fundamental kinetic equation, and used thereafter, particularly in the chapter on reaction kinetics. Quantum mechanics is applied in connection with specific heats and other atomic and molecular processes.

The arrangement of subjects is logical. Opening with an ex- cellent discussion of the laws of thermodynamics, the author takes up the states of aggregation, molecular theory, mixtures, the theory of dilute solutions (noteworthy), homogeneous equilib- ria, electrolytes (including an excellent discussion of the author's theory of protolysis) reaction kinetics (with a small amount of photochemistry), electrochemistry, affinity (especially com- mendable), and surface and colloid chemistry. Twenty-seven tables of illustrative material are incoroorated in the text.

To American teachers the book will appear unusual in the ab- scncc of thc attempt to picture merlranisms and structures and the total lack 01 problems and rcfcrences. Several of the symbols are not in common use on this continent but are clearly defined and should occasion no difficulty. The typography leaves some- thing to he desired.

To the teacher and advanced student Professor Brgnsted's work should prove an invaluable stimulus. To the beginning student of physical chemistry i t will probably prove more valu- able as a reference than as a text. I n brief, i t is a physical chemist's physical chemistry.

MALCOLM M. HARINO

UNIV&RS~TY OF MARYLAND COLLEOB P*.K, M*.Y'*ND

Co~eusrIoN, FLAMES AND E x ~ ~ o s r o N s oa GASES. Bernard Leun's, Ph.D. (Cantah.), Physical Chemist, U. S. Bureau of Mines Experiment Station, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Gnenther van Elbe, Ph.D. (Berlin), Physical Chemist, Coal Research Laho- ratory, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pa. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. The Macmillan Co., New York City, 1938. xv + 415 pp. 75 figs. 14 X 22 cm. $5.50.

This most recent addition to the Cambridge Series of Physical Chemistry, edited by Professor E. K. Rideal of Cambridge University, maintains the high standard of its predecessors. The authors have set out to give a comprehensive and unified treatment of the important features of the oxidation of com-

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