The Popular Science Monthly, June, 1900: Vol. 57, May, 1900 to October, 1900Various
Science
The Popular Science Monthly, June, 1900: Vol. 57, May, 1900 to October, 1900
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
The general interest which has been aroused the last few years in
physical chemistry is reflected in the number of books which have
appeared in this department. Some of these dwell more upon the older
physical chemistry, devoting but relatively little space to the later
developments, while others are chiefly concerned with the newer phases
of the subject. Perhaps the most satisfactory book which has appeared
along this line is Walker’s ‘Introduction to Physical Chemistry’
(Macmillan). No attempt is made to exhaust the field but the subject
is well covered. Especially commendable is the clearness of the
book, which will render it useful to students. The non-mathematical
treatment of the subject will also commend it to many who use it as
an introduction to physical chemistry. A book of narrower scope is
Dr. H. C. Jones’s ‘Theory of Electrolytic Dissociation and Some of
Its Applications,’ from the press of the same publishers. The author
gives first a short review of the development of physical chemistry
up to the days of van’t Hoff, and then surveys the origin of the
theory of electrolytic dissociation, its proofs and some of its
applications. While making no pretense to cover the whole field of
physical chemistry, the author furnishes a very readable account of the
most important of the later generalizations. It is a book which should
be read especially by those chemists and physicists who are working
in other fields, that they may gain a fair view of the electrolytic
dissociation theory written by one thoroughly competent for his task.
Biologists, too, will find the latter part of the book, treating of
the applications of the theory to animal and plant life, of especial
interest. Dr. Jones, with S. H. King, has also translated Biltz on
‘Practical Methods of Determining Molecular Weights.’ This is a
successful attempt to gather together the best of the different methods
of real value, and it is very satisfactorily carried out, presenting a
good guide book for students.
* * * * *
In the production of text-books of general chemistry, there seems to
be a little lull, very few books having appeared in recent months. The
first part of what promises to be a somewhat original work on inorganic
chemistry, by Dr. Sperber, has appeared. After the introduction on
general chemical laws, the elements of the seventh group (chlorine,
etc.), are first considered, and then their hydrogen compounds; the
sixth group (oxygen, etc.) and its hydrogen compounds; fifth group
(nitrogen, etc.), etc. The method used is purely inductive, each
subject being introduced by experiments from which the underlying
principles are developed.
* * * * *
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