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An introduction to experimentation
Book Reviews
X-Ray Diffraction Methods in Polymer Science By Leroy E. Alexander, published by WileyInterscience, New York, 1969; 582 pages. There is a need in the polymer physics field for a practical book which covers those X-ray diffraction methods that are particularly appropriate for crystalline polymer studies. Such a book should describe these methods both with enough detail to make them operationally useful, and with a critical eye toward the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. The present volume satisfies the first operational requirement, and in this sense may be looked upon as an introductory manual, but the author makes no attempt to critically evaluate the numerous techniques he has so carefully grouped together. Instead, each chapter simply acts as a review of the more prominent studies published over the last ten or so years, often accompanied by a large number of the original tables and Figures. Fortunately, the author frequently adds some example numerical calculations to the text which does make the material practically useful to the reader. The book is composed of seven main topic areas plus a large Appendix section. These are titled (1) Introduction to X-ray diffraction by polymers, (2) Instrumentation, (3) Degree of crystallinity in polymers, (4) Preferred orientation in polymers, (5) Macrostructure from small-angle scattering, (6) Microstructure from wide-angle diffraction and (7) Lattice distortions and crystallite
An Introduction to Experimentation B y Ernest Rabinowicz, published by AddisonWesley Publishing Company, Reading, Mass., 1970; 124 pages, 78 illus. ; price: paper-back, U.S. $ 3.25. This short book is a lively rendition of an old theme: the importance of experimentation and the proper conduct thereof. Stemming from lectures given to undergraduate science and engineering students and also to engineers and scientists from industry, it has a conversational style and gives
size. The Appendix is composed of eleven separate parts. These eleven parts can be grouped into three classes of information. One contains mathematical functions including Fourier and Fourier-Bessel transforms, Fourier analysis of reflection profiles by the method of Stokes, and Lorentz, polarization and interplanar spacing tables. A mathematical table of zero and first order Bessel functions would tlave been useful but was not included here. A second class of information represents tables of physical data including mass absorption coefficients, X-ray wavelengths, atomic scattering factors, filters for X-rays, atomic weights and miscellaneous physical and numerical constants. Many of these tables seem unnecessary. The third class of information included in the Appendix is Dr. Robert L. Miller's table of crystallographic data for various polymers. Though this table has been published in several other books it is particularly appropriate for this volume. Since this is the first book that has appeared which specifically concentrates on X-ray methods in polymer science it is difficult to make comparisons. The book is readable and is clearly presented, especially in those sections that deal with experimental procedures and calculations. By surveying a wide spectrum of X-ray methods, it presents a valuable overview of this broad field, which would be difficult to find in any other publication. R. J. Samuels
remarkably clear and forceful warnings of the pitfalls to be met, especially those dug by subjective thinking. The first of its four chapters deals with the planning stage and is devoted largely to the limitations imposed by the measuring instruments. As a basis of discussion, the resolution and accuracy of each of a broad set of types of instruments is examined. Microscopes, the eye, the chemical balance, the caliper micrometer, and the moving-coil voltmeter serve well and the problems at the end of the chapter are well chosen to complete the lesson. Estimation of errors is covered in the next chapter.
Materials Science and Engineering American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio, and Elsevier Sequoia S.A., Lausanne - Printed in the Netherlands
BOOK REVIEWS
The emphasis is on the interpretation of the formulas used rather than on their derivation. The treatment of the normal distribution is superior and a surprisingly broad coverage of the important aspects of error analysis is given either by the examples chosen or by the helpful hints in the brief digressions provided. The result is not the usual dull compilation of a set of formulas, but lucid and graphic instruction on principles. The third chapter shows how to evaluate functional relationships from the experimental data. The techniques of drawing the best line through a set of points are admirably well explained, especially the method of least squares. The author gets to the heart of the problems attending the shaping of the functions and supplies much useful advice, in'-
67
cluding a rather novel device for dealing with an array of widely scattered points. The final chapter gives advice on writing reports of experimental work. Much of this advice should be helpful to experienced workers as well as to neophytes. Here, some of the examples of the consequences of subjective attitudes may appear to be overdrawn and even rather comic, but perhaps this is the best way to deal with human fallibility. This book is recommended strongly for undergraduate students in the physical sciences and engineering. Many others, including the teachers, will find it useful and--what is most remarkable for a book in this field--quite engrossing. John G. Miller
Mater. Sci. En9., 6 (1970) 66-67
X-Ray Diffraction Methods in Polymer Science By Leroy E. Alexander, published by WileyInterscience, New York, 1969; 582 pages. There is a need in the polymer physics field for a practical book which covers those X-ray diffraction methods that are particularly appropriate for crystalline polymer studies. Such a book should describe these methods both with enough detail to make them operationally useful, and with a critical eye toward the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. The present volume satisfies the first operational requirement, and in this sense may be looked upon as an introductory manual, but the author makes no attempt to critically evaluate the numerous techniques he has so carefully grouped together. Instead, each chapter simply acts as a review of the more prominent studies published over the last ten or so years, often accompanied by a large number of the original tables and Figures. Fortunately, the author frequently adds some example numerical calculations to the text which does make the material practically useful to the reader. The book is composed of seven main topic areas plus a large Appendix section. These are titled (1) Introduction to X-ray diffraction by polymers, (2) Instrumentation, (3) Degree of crystallinity in polymers, (4) Preferred orientation in polymers, (5) Macrostructure from small-angle scattering, (6) Microstructure from wide-angle diffraction and (7) Lattice distortions and crystallite
An Introduction to Experimentation B y Ernest Rabinowicz, published by AddisonWesley Publishing Company, Reading, Mass., 1970; 124 pages, 78 illus. ; price: paper-back, U.S. $ 3.25. This short book is a lively rendition of an old theme: the importance of experimentation and the proper conduct thereof. Stemming from lectures given to undergraduate science and engineering students and also to engineers and scientists from industry, it has a conversational style and gives
size. The Appendix is composed of eleven separate parts. These eleven parts can be grouped into three classes of information. One contains mathematical functions including Fourier and Fourier-Bessel transforms, Fourier analysis of reflection profiles by the method of Stokes, and Lorentz, polarization and interplanar spacing tables. A mathematical table of zero and first order Bessel functions would tlave been useful but was not included here. A second class of information represents tables of physical data including mass absorption coefficients, X-ray wavelengths, atomic scattering factors, filters for X-rays, atomic weights and miscellaneous physical and numerical constants. Many of these tables seem unnecessary. The third class of information included in the Appendix is Dr. Robert L. Miller's table of crystallographic data for various polymers. Though this table has been published in several other books it is particularly appropriate for this volume. Since this is the first book that has appeared which specifically concentrates on X-ray methods in polymer science it is difficult to make comparisons. The book is readable and is clearly presented, especially in those sections that deal with experimental procedures and calculations. By surveying a wide spectrum of X-ray methods, it presents a valuable overview of this broad field, which would be difficult to find in any other publication. R. J. Samuels
remarkably clear and forceful warnings of the pitfalls to be met, especially those dug by subjective thinking. The first of its four chapters deals with the planning stage and is devoted largely to the limitations imposed by the measuring instruments. As a basis of discussion, the resolution and accuracy of each of a broad set of types of instruments is examined. Microscopes, the eye, the chemical balance, the caliper micrometer, and the moving-coil voltmeter serve well and the problems at the end of the chapter are well chosen to complete the lesson. Estimation of errors is covered in the next chapter.
Materials Science and Engineering American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio, and Elsevier Sequoia S.A., Lausanne - Printed in the Netherlands
BOOK REVIEWS
The emphasis is on the interpretation of the formulas used rather than on their derivation. The treatment of the normal distribution is superior and a surprisingly broad coverage of the important aspects of error analysis is given either by the examples chosen or by the helpful hints in the brief digressions provided. The result is not the usual dull compilation of a set of formulas, but lucid and graphic instruction on principles. The third chapter shows how to evaluate functional relationships from the experimental data. The techniques of drawing the best line through a set of points are admirably well explained, especially the method of least squares. The author gets to the heart of the problems attending the shaping of the functions and supplies much useful advice, in'-
67
cluding a rather novel device for dealing with an array of widely scattered points. The final chapter gives advice on writing reports of experimental work. Much of this advice should be helpful to experienced workers as well as to neophytes. Here, some of the examples of the consequences of subjective attitudes may appear to be overdrawn and even rather comic, but perhaps this is the best way to deal with human fallibility. This book is recommended strongly for undergraduate students in the physical sciences and engineering. Many others, including the teachers, will find it useful and--what is most remarkable for a book in this field--quite engrossing. John G. Miller
Mater. Sci. En9., 6 (1970) 66-67