book reviews of the hook, therefore, is to provide a
textbook treatment of modern electro-
Chapters 7 through 10 provide a
compact and readable introduction to
the underlying molecular principles gov-
erning the physical behavior of high
polymers. The material is so presented
as to serve as a. highly adequate intro-
duction for the novice in the field of the
mechanical properties of high polymers.
A successful effort has been msde to
emphasize the qualittttive factors of
analysis which-are so necessary for a
thorough comprehension of the phenomena
of polymer action. Furthermore, and of
equal importance, the quantitative aspects
of molecular behavior have not been
neglected. The accepted theories and
ideas pertaining to polymer behavior
are presented in a lucid and logical
manner in these four chapters.
Of the remaining five chapters, four
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cover various topics of importance in the
synthesis and fabrication of polymers.
Chapter 11 presents a useful, albeit for
the most part qualitative, discussion on
the degradation and stabilization of high
Downloaded via 106.206.243.178 on August 16, 2023 at 09:52:54 (UTC).
polymers. The 12th chapter is a general
review of fabrication processes. The
one-, two-, and threedimensions1 pro-
cesses are covered in an adequate fashion.
Chapters 13 and 14 present a compre-
hensive review of the commercid modes
and techniques used in polymer synthesis.
The former chapter covers additional
polymers synthesized by radial and ionic
mechanisms. Emulsion, anionic and cat-
ionic systems are covered with examples
given of both homogeneous and hetero-
phase polymerizetions. Chapter 14, on
the other hand, is s. presentation of con-
densation polymerization techniques and
procedures.
The find chapter is a very short
discussion on the analysis and identificsr
tion of polymeric materials. As a result
.. this last c h a ~ t e rcan only
of its brevitv.
serve as a reference source for this topic.
The book contains a useful appendix ss
well es many useful problems with each
chapter. This volume appears to be a
fine text for engineering students but
should not be mistaken as a text for the
organic and physical chemistry of high
polymers.
L. J. FETTERS
Institute of Polymer Science
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio 44504
Electrochemistry
J . Koryta, J . Dvwak, and V.Bohackooa,
Charles University, Prague, Czecho-
slovakia. Methuen & Co. Ltd., London,
1970. xv + 350 pp. Figs. and tables.
24 X 16.5 cm. $16.75.
This hook is inbended to introduce the
reader to "the principles of modern'elec-
trochemistry" at a level which will enable
him to undertake fruitfully a study of
advanced monographs and original papers
on electrochemical subjects. The purpose
A782 / Journal o f Chemical Education
chemistry which is suitable for students
either in their final year of BS, or in their
first year of graduate studies in an eledro-
chernicdly-oriented research ares. The
authors represent a distinniished group of
investigaton from the famous Csecho-
slovak school of eleetrochemistry. The
book is the English translation, revised
and significantly "modernized," of the
original Czechoslovak edition puhhhed
in Prague in 1966.
The book consists of four chapters. The
first chapter (82 pages) deals with some
aspects of electrolyte solut,ions, e.g., ion
solvation, electrolytic dissociation, theory
oi strong electrolytes, acids and bases,
some special equilibria in electrolyte so-
lutions, and, molten salts. The second
chapter (55 pages) discusses transport
phenomena in electrolyte d u t i o n s and is
thus concerned with m%tterssuch as trans-
fer of electric ourrent through electrolyte
solutions and diffusion snd convection
effects. The third chapter (104 pages)
treates equilibrium properties of electrified
interfaces, most of the discussion heing
devoted to the classical topics of therma-
dynamics and emf of galvanic cells and
related considerations, and, with only a
relatively brief treatment of double layers.
.
In the last chanter (79 nares). .. which is peared on the market last year. Avail-
~ h i n w dr h s v e h m ~ ~ . ~ ~ trp-nriiirr.
p l ~ . l ~ l ~atility of this hook in the college library
i r rlir i.:t~~l!.~h tdttim, llw 311111nr' rnHiQ
nr. e l I stlctnpl ar
compressing a vast subjeot, namely, ki-
netics of electrode reactions, within a few
pages. The book also contains four ap-
pendices and the usual author and sub-
ject indexes.
The treatment of topics in the first
three chapters is fairly goad although
certain sections in these chapters would
merit more adequate discussions than
presented, sg., sections on molten elec-
trolytes, concept of electrode reversihility,
structzlre of the metal-electrolyte inter-
phase especially in relation to reactant
adsorption, and electrical double layers at
semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces. The
bulk of the subjects in these chapters
pertain, however, to matters which are
classical and part of "old" electrochem-
istry and have been very well treated in the
books published over the past several
years.
The kinetics of electrode reactions, dis-
cussed in the Last chapter, and which to-
gether with the subject of the electrode
double layer, is generally regarded as the
main stream of modern electrochemistry,
has received altogether inadequate rutten-
tion in this book. The treatment con-
tains, however, well-written sections on
the chemical physics of the charge transfer
event at an electrode surface and the
theory of electrode reactions limited by
mass transport. Most of the rest of the
content,^ in this chapter invite a variety of
criticism. The subjects of 'celectrocataly-
sis" a i d "inhibition of electrode pro-
cesses," which constitute a vital part of
modern electrochemistry, hzve been
treated too slightly and the discussions are
out of date. The section on the prepara-
tion of electrodes is meaningless since it
gives no information on the dl-important
problem of mounting solid electrodes
(either noble metals or non-noble metals
or semiconductors) in a contamination-
free and otherwise satisfactory manner.
One is given the impression that no work
has been done on the Kolbe reaction since
1849! This criticism is particularly serious
in view oi the fact bhat Professor Fleisch-
msnn, the initiator of the English tranula-
tion of the hook, is a leading authority on
the modern work on the Kolbe reaction
which, ineidently, is the most thoroughly
examined eleetro-organic process. One
could cite many more examples of the
foregoing type of superficial and out of
date treatments of the kinetics of electrode
reactions which partly arises, it is believed,
from the authors' attempt, without being
selective, to condense an immense field
into a few pages. An important general
omission, which &likely to make this hook
unpalatable to many readers, is the oom-
plete absence of information a n t,echnologi-
c d applications and hence social impact
of electrochemistry, which can easily be
demonstrated to be considerable, even
monumental.
This book is a fair attempt al. presenting
electrochemistry in terms not quite as
modern and up-to-date as the aututhors
would like one to believe. This book
could have been a good candidate for
acquisition had the far-better book (two
volumes) by Bockris and Reddy not ap-
may he merited, however, by the fact that
the authors represent a leading school of
modern electrochemical thought.
ASHOKVIJH
National Institute of Scientific Research
~niversiiyof Quebec
Va'aranes, P.Q., Canada
Molecular Biology of the Gene
J . D. Watson, Harvard University and
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. 2nd
ed. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New Yark,
1970. xxi + 662 pp. Figs. and
tables. 22.7 X 15 em. Clothbound,
$17.50; paperbound, 810.05.
Since the publicat.ion af the first edition
in 1965, Watson's molecular Biology of
the Gene" has been an extremely useful
tool for students in the areas of molecular
biology, cell biology, genetics, and hio-
chemistry. The second edition of this
text retains the same format and informal
style of the original edition, snd in fact
tbe first 300 pages (nine chapters) of the
new edition are identical to the original.
Molecular biology is one of the most
rapidly changing of all areas of scientific
inquiry. Professor Watson has attempted
to keep abreast of these changes and to
bring them into proper focus by rewriting
the chapters devoted to virus replication,
the regulations of protein synthesis, cell
differentiation, a i d cancer. I n addition,
he has added two entirely new chapters.
One of these covers embryology a t the
molecular level, and discusses cell differen-
tiation and model systems, tissue culture,
(Cmtinued on page A784)

book reviews
cloning, and division and fusion. The
second new ehzpter is devoted to antibody
synthesis and includes discussions on the
origin of antibody chains, specificity,
site of antibody synthesis, and immuno-
logical tolerance, among other topics.
The text is easily readable and is well
illustrated. It contains a glossary of
terms often encountered in molecnlar
biology, thus making it very useful for
the beginning student. Each chapter
contains a list of general references which
further increase the usefulness of the hook.
In summary, the second edition of
"Molecular Biology of the Gene" is an
excellent attempt to present the newest
topics in the emerging area of molecular
biology, and in related areas, in an easy-
to-read and easy-ta-understand format.
I t would be a valusblble addition to the
library of any individual interested in
these areas.
CHARLESL. BORDERS, JR.
The College of Wooster
Wooder, Ohio 44681
Dietary Chemicals vr. Dental Caries.
Advances in Chemistry Series no. 94
Edited by Robert F. Gould. Based on a
symposium sponsored by the Agri-
cultural and Food Chemistry Division
at the 1966 Winter Meeting of the
American Chemical Society. American
Chemical Society, Washington, 1). C.,
1970. vi +186 pp. Figs. and tables.
23.5 X 16cm. $9.
Few sufferers from dental caries realize
the complexity of the processes involved
in its production. Each individual carious
lesion represents an individual event.
This is so because caries results from the
interaction of the surface of a. tooth whose
farm and composition were determined by
the metabolic state of the bearer of the
tooth a t the time of its formation with the
particular fluids, foods, and bacteria
present in the mouth at the time the lesion
forms. Dietary factors while the toothis
forming are thus of importance, since they
determine the chemical composition and
morphological structure of the tooth.
Even more important are the local factors
a t the tooth surface when the attack
begins.
These factors are the subject of this
book. I t contains the papers presented a t
a symposium held in 1966, hut they have
been updated to early or mid-1970 and
therefore present rtn excellent overview of
the present state of this field. The authors
are all authorities in their subjects. The
papers discuss the effects of types of foods,
vitamins, antibiotics, organic compounds,
fluorides, calcium, phosphorus, and various
trace minerals. all factors which have been
shown either to reduce or increase the
amount of caries or the rate of its produc-
tion. The emphasis throughout is on the
chemistry and biochemistry of the pra-
cesses considered. The book serves as an
excellent introduction to and general
picture of the subject for a non-dental
A784 / Journal of Chemical Education
scientist, while the extensive references
open the whole field to anyone interested
in going more deeply into the matters. If
the book does nothing else, it reveals the
great number of factors involved in this,
the commonest disease of modern man.
HENRYM. LEICESTXR
SehDol of Dentistry
University of the Pacific
San Francisco, Calif.
Physics Demonstration Experiments.
Volumes I and 11
Edited by Harry F. Meinera. The
Ronald Press Co., New York, 1970.
1493 pp. Figs. and tables. 28 X 21
cm. $30.
Editor Meiners, owdirector Robert
Resnick, a committee of six physicists
and a considerable staff have produced a
work that is encyclopaedic both in scope
and in physical dimensions. The major
part comprises over 1200 journal-sized
pages describing s multitude of demon-
strations involving concepts drawn from
all areas of physics and of widely varying
degrees of sophistication. The apparatus
needed ranges from (literally) household
csst-offs to some requiring s. considerable
amount of careful construction. Full
details for the fabrication of the mare
complicated devices are provided, wisely,
as an appendix.
In compiling these volumes, the editor
visited over 100 institutions in the USA,
and others overseas. The existing litera-
ture and commercial equipment was
surveyed. Given the comprehensive na-
ture of the work, one imagines thst any
teacher who uses physics demonstrations
for classes at any level will want to have
a copy available.
Some lecturers will use these demon-
strations a7 a point of departure for their
own ingenious modifications. Others of
us will be glad enough to have the kind
of cook book we would not prescribe
for our students. Even the latter group
has an outlet far the imagination, how-
ever, for each demonstrittion must be
integrated into the rest of the presentation.
The teacher must find wavs to brine out
rhc ron..rl.rs the exprriment is suppoivd
to illuitrnlr liwe the dewripti, n- d !he
euperlment>l u r e little toaby In.1 the bmrk
opens with a series of essays directed to
the purposes and methods of the lecture
demonstration. This section presents
many stimulating suggestions and by no
means a unified point of view.
Eric Rogers, in a careful discussion
d different goals for demonstrations
suggests the value of same experiments
simple enough to be taken home. Gerald
Holton, also advocating a departure
from the "special" nature of most demon-
stration equipment, suggests the occa-
sional showing of real, working research
apparatus, even though the hesio physical
concepts may not be so readily exposed.
Sir Lawrence Bragg describes the long
tradition at the Royal Institution of
very carefully prepared lectures using
special demonstrations built by a highly
skilled staff.
The book is completed by s. series of
essays on special techniques such as
films, closed circuit television, shadow
and overhead projection and stroboscopio
effects. These articles and those on
purposes should have an interest far
beyond the physics community.
Two quibbles might he made. I t was
decided to omit experiments described
in an earlier A. A. P . T. compilation,
"Demonstrstion Experiments in Physics"
(R. M. Sutton, editor; McGraw-Hill,
New York, 1938) unless "significant
modifications were made since publication
in 1938." Since Sutton's book is now
out of print same experiments of interest
(perhaps the simplest have aged best)
will not be avsilable to many readers.
Components have often been specified
as the particulsr product used by the
institution that developed the apparatus.
In the case of experiments designed over-
seas that usudly means products which
may be difficult or impossible for an
American purchsser to obtain. Such
readers would find a designation of s.
suitable domestic product very helpful.
The experiments me illustrated by
photographs and line drawings. It
appears thst these and the instructions
are clear and complete enough to enable
the teacher to reproduce the equipment.
That particular pudding, however, this
reviewer has not yet had time to prove.
These two volumes will doubtless
prove indispensible to the physics teacher.
Chemists will find the general essays and
the experiments in the Heat and Atomic
Physics sections of interest and use.
Perhaps they will also take to their
armchairs, leaf through the volumes and
enjoy the enduring aesthetic appeal of a.
neat experiment.
CHRISTOPHER L. BOUNDS
Department of Physics
College o j Wooster
Wooster, Ohio 44681
John Dalton and the Atom
Frank Greenaway, Science Museum,
Kensington, London. Cornell Univer-
sity Press, Ithics, N. Y., 1966. viii +
244 pp. Figs. 14 X 21 cm. $7.50.
Recently THIS JOURNAL (48. A118,
(1971)) carried a review of Elizabeth
Patterson's "John Dalton and the Atomic
Theory" (1970), whose title is practically
identical with that of the book presently
under review. Obviously these books
duplicate much of the material but in the
broad sense they supplement each other
sinoe the Patterson book deals with the
human side of Dalton predominantly,
whereas the somewhat older Greenaway
volume stresses pmticularly the chemical
and philosophical sspects of his achieve-
ments. However, Greenaway in 1958-59
had already published "The Biographical
Approach to John Dalton" and obviously
saw no need to repeat himself unduly.
The Prtttersan hook was directed at the
general reader while Greenaway was in
(Catinued a page A788)