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A preview of the absolute-relative theory
BOOKREVIEWS.
I22
[J. F. I.
values of melting point, boiling point, specific gravity and refractive index. The data are obtained from innumerable sources in the literature and unpublished research of many investigators. To realize the immensity of the work, one need only to glance at a few of the pages devoted to a listing of literature sources which are cited, and further, to examine a few to find that not many investigators have given the probable errors of constants, making it necessary to estimate the reliability of the different investigators and their data in order to determine by correlation the most probable values of the constants. This at times required the consideration of all pertinent facts including the mode of synthesis, purification, and measurement; wherever these are given. The book contains 403 pages of data in tabular form. It represents a noteworthy attempt at collecting all the studies that have been made. Aside from the is shown, give indicavolume of information given, the gaps where no information tion that much is yet to be done in experimentation on certain compounds. The book should be, as it is intended to be, a valuable tool to petroleum technologists and others concerned with hydrocarbon chemistry. R. H. OPPERMANN. BERICHT ~BER DIE 3, INTERNATIONALETAGUNG DER LEITER GRUBENSICHERHEITLICHER VERSUCHSANSTALTENIN DORTMUND VOM 23, BIS 28, SEPTEMBER 1935. 312 pages, illustrations, 16 X 25 cm% Gelsenkirchen, Carl Bertenburg, 1939. For those who are interested in the mechanism of explosions with particular reference to the application to safety in mines this volume will be of value. It reports the sessions of the third conference of its kind (1935), the other two having Papers were read and discussions made been held in 1931 and 1933 respectively. on the subject from many angles by prominent people. Representatives attended the conference from the Westphalia Miners and Employers Associations as well as from interests having to do with experimental and development work in mine safety. Invitations were also extended to other nations including Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, etc., There were some forty participants at the conference. The papers and discussions in this volume are well illustrated with photographs, curves and charts. They are written in German. R. H. OPPERMANN. A PREVIEW OF THE ABSOLUTE-RELATIVE THEORY, by Franklin J. Matchette. New York, Author, 1939. Price 26 pages, illustrations, 18 X 26 ems. 50 cents. Those readers who are interested in the philosophy of science, will find something to think about in this little pamphlet which presents in abbreviated form a theory attempting to throw light upon some of the baffling and ultimate questions to which modern physics seems step by step to be opening the door. The theory unifies in one framework all the various forms of energy known to the physicist, including gravitation; unifies energy with matter; unifies the physical realm of matter and energy with the immaterial realm of mind. These factors are seen as one simple and fundamental entity. The three basic propositions of the theory are, (I) the relative world is not
July, 1939. I
BOOK
REVIEWS.
123
self-subsistent, independent, or self-explanatory. It depends for its existance, (2) The simplest and nature and meaning, upon another realm, the Absolute. most basic structural unit of which chemical atoms (and therefore all things) are composed is conceived as the Zero-Atom Unit. It is the only element or unit, or the primordial building block, of the relative world and is endowed with every relative quality found in the world. (3) There is a basic relationship between From it is derivable in a simple way all the the Zero-Atom and the Absolute. manifold and inconceivably complex possibilities of action within the whole relative world. The condensed form in which the theory here appears, is presented by the author with a view to inviting constructive criticisms, suggestions, and possible collaboration. A fuller and more detailed presentation in book form is planned in the near future. R. H. OPPERMANN. DAS
CHEMISCHE FEUERL~SCHWESEN, von Dr. Oskar illustrations, 15 X 23 ems. Leipzig, S. Hirzel, 1939.
Kausch. 283 pages, Price 18.50 R.M.
This book is part of the series on the general subject “Chemie und Technik which gives accounts on the der Gegenwart ” edited by Prof. Dr. H. Carlson, position and up-to-date developments of various branches of chemistry for the purpose of study as well as explanation of technique. The specialized subject of the present volume is treated in a quite complete manner, being divided into parts on extinguishment with the aid of dry materials, gases and steam, liquids, Chemical actions and reactions taking place which lead to the desired and foam. result, as well as the type, construction and utilization of the various apparatus References are made in the treatfor fire protection are thoroughly explained. ment to many methods in use with varying results both in Germany and elsewhere, especially to patents of which there is so little compilation. While the book gives a modern account, considerable material of importance which is old is included to reflect the present position of the subject and provide an insight into German conditions. All references made are adequately indexed in the back and there is also a subject index to the text. R. H. OPPERMANN. ELECTRON OPTICS, by Otto Klemperer. New York, The Macmillan Company,
107 pages, illustrations, 1939. Price $1.75.
14 X 22 ems.
This little book, one of the Cambridge Physical Tracts, is intended to give a concise account of the most important principles, methods, and applications of geometrical electron optics. In so doing it opens with a historical review of the subject from which there emerges the fundamental principles. With this as a basis, there is pointed out how the cardinal points of an electron lens can be measured and how Gaussian optics is applied to electric and to magnetic lenses. There is also dealt with, the focusing of wide beams and the projection of extended electron pictures. In this connection, a study is made of the main features of the errors of electron lenses. The final chapter deals with some of the most important practical applications of electron optics giving an explanation of the principles of the electron gun, the electron microscope, the picture transformer and the
I22
[J. F. I.
values of melting point, boiling point, specific gravity and refractive index. The data are obtained from innumerable sources in the literature and unpublished research of many investigators. To realize the immensity of the work, one need only to glance at a few of the pages devoted to a listing of literature sources which are cited, and further, to examine a few to find that not many investigators have given the probable errors of constants, making it necessary to estimate the reliability of the different investigators and their data in order to determine by correlation the most probable values of the constants. This at times required the consideration of all pertinent facts including the mode of synthesis, purification, and measurement; wherever these are given. The book contains 403 pages of data in tabular form. It represents a noteworthy attempt at collecting all the studies that have been made. Aside from the is shown, give indicavolume of information given, the gaps where no information tion that much is yet to be done in experimentation on certain compounds. The book should be, as it is intended to be, a valuable tool to petroleum technologists and others concerned with hydrocarbon chemistry. R. H. OPPERMANN. BERICHT ~BER DIE 3, INTERNATIONALETAGUNG DER LEITER GRUBENSICHERHEITLICHER VERSUCHSANSTALTENIN DORTMUND VOM 23, BIS 28, SEPTEMBER 1935. 312 pages, illustrations, 16 X 25 cm% Gelsenkirchen, Carl Bertenburg, 1939. For those who are interested in the mechanism of explosions with particular reference to the application to safety in mines this volume will be of value. It reports the sessions of the third conference of its kind (1935), the other two having Papers were read and discussions made been held in 1931 and 1933 respectively. on the subject from many angles by prominent people. Representatives attended the conference from the Westphalia Miners and Employers Associations as well as from interests having to do with experimental and development work in mine safety. Invitations were also extended to other nations including Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, etc., There were some forty participants at the conference. The papers and discussions in this volume are well illustrated with photographs, curves and charts. They are written in German. R. H. OPPERMANN. A PREVIEW OF THE ABSOLUTE-RELATIVE THEORY, by Franklin J. Matchette. New York, Author, 1939. Price 26 pages, illustrations, 18 X 26 ems. 50 cents. Those readers who are interested in the philosophy of science, will find something to think about in this little pamphlet which presents in abbreviated form a theory attempting to throw light upon some of the baffling and ultimate questions to which modern physics seems step by step to be opening the door. The theory unifies in one framework all the various forms of energy known to the physicist, including gravitation; unifies energy with matter; unifies the physical realm of matter and energy with the immaterial realm of mind. These factors are seen as one simple and fundamental entity. The three basic propositions of the theory are, (I) the relative world is not
July, 1939. I
BOOK
REVIEWS.
123
self-subsistent, independent, or self-explanatory. It depends for its existance, (2) The simplest and nature and meaning, upon another realm, the Absolute. most basic structural unit of which chemical atoms (and therefore all things) are composed is conceived as the Zero-Atom Unit. It is the only element or unit, or the primordial building block, of the relative world and is endowed with every relative quality found in the world. (3) There is a basic relationship between From it is derivable in a simple way all the the Zero-Atom and the Absolute. manifold and inconceivably complex possibilities of action within the whole relative world. The condensed form in which the theory here appears, is presented by the author with a view to inviting constructive criticisms, suggestions, and possible collaboration. A fuller and more detailed presentation in book form is planned in the near future. R. H. OPPERMANN. DAS
CHEMISCHE FEUERL~SCHWESEN, von Dr. Oskar illustrations, 15 X 23 ems. Leipzig, S. Hirzel, 1939.
Kausch. 283 pages, Price 18.50 R.M.
This book is part of the series on the general subject “Chemie und Technik which gives accounts on the der Gegenwart ” edited by Prof. Dr. H. Carlson, position and up-to-date developments of various branches of chemistry for the purpose of study as well as explanation of technique. The specialized subject of the present volume is treated in a quite complete manner, being divided into parts on extinguishment with the aid of dry materials, gases and steam, liquids, Chemical actions and reactions taking place which lead to the desired and foam. result, as well as the type, construction and utilization of the various apparatus References are made in the treatfor fire protection are thoroughly explained. ment to many methods in use with varying results both in Germany and elsewhere, especially to patents of which there is so little compilation. While the book gives a modern account, considerable material of importance which is old is included to reflect the present position of the subject and provide an insight into German conditions. All references made are adequately indexed in the back and there is also a subject index to the text. R. H. OPPERMANN. ELECTRON OPTICS, by Otto Klemperer. New York, The Macmillan Company,
107 pages, illustrations, 1939. Price $1.75.
14 X 22 ems.
This little book, one of the Cambridge Physical Tracts, is intended to give a concise account of the most important principles, methods, and applications of geometrical electron optics. In so doing it opens with a historical review of the subject from which there emerges the fundamental principles. With this as a basis, there is pointed out how the cardinal points of an electron lens can be measured and how Gaussian optics is applied to electric and to magnetic lenses. There is also dealt with, the focusing of wide beams and the projection of extended electron pictures. In this connection, a study is made of the main features of the errors of electron lenses. The final chapter deals with some of the most important practical applications of electron optics giving an explanation of the principles of the electron gun, the electron microscope, the picture transformer and the