GENERAL COLLEGE CHEMISTRY.

ByAndrew J. Scarlett '10 and Jose GódmezIbánez. New York: Henry Holt, 1954. 64pp. $6.00.

The late Professor Leon B. Richardson's General College Chemistry (the first of four editions appeared in 1927) was planned on the assumption that in freshman chemistry the textbook is the vital element, and the lectures are of secondary importance. This text, of which Professor Scarlett was co-author of later editions, was very successful partly because of its readability and the rather full discussions of important topics.

This new text follows the Richardson books but differs from them in both order and content. It is essentially a different book; related chapters being grouped into Parts as follows: I, Fundamental Principles and the Kinetic Theory of Matter: II, Chemical Properties and the Periodic Table; III, Structure of Matter and the Chemical Bond; IV, Chemical Equilibrium and Solutions of Electrolytes; V, Chemistry of the Elements; VI, Compound Substances; VII, Thermochemistry, Colloids, Nuclear Reactions. In general the individual chapters result from a wise selection of material and have been clearly and carefully written. In their make up, equations, charts, diagrams, and attractive exercises and prob- lems have been used effectively to supplement and illustrate the text.

In line with modern trends and sheer logic a major part of this text deals with theoretical principles and their applications. The presentation of theories, such as the atomic, kinetic, structural, and ionic theories, is particularly full and clear, and equilibrium ideas are used when they are applicable and important. Thus, the kinetic theory of gases is developed simply and logically in Chapter 3 so that the student acquires a clear picture of the properties of ideal gases, and is able to solve simple gas problems without using mathematical formulas. Then in Chapter 5 a more advanced discussion of this subject is introduced in which mathematical relationships are developed and used. Here the student discovers when, how and why actual gases differ appreciably from ideal gases in properties.

The descriptive chemistry is well presented with good coverage including two chapters devoted to organic chemistry. The novel separation of this material into two Parts: (a) the Chemistry of the Elements, and (b) Compound Substances, is both logical and pleasing. However, after taking up a periodic group of elements, the instructor, if he so desires, may assign the chapter in the next Part on the compounds of these same elements before taking up the elements of another periodic group.

The topics in Part IV are especially interesting and important, the last one, nuclear reactions, being necessary to an understanding of radioactivity and the atomic bomb.

The student fortunate enough to use this book under an inspiring teacher should have an unusually valuable and exciting experience. The authors and publishers have developed a superior text of attractive appear- ance and content.