- Email: [email protected]
Phenomena at the temperature of liquid helium
Dec., 194o.1
BOOK REVIEWS.
793
The text contains many review questions and problems which bear evidence of having been carefully formulated. The main feature of the book is simplicity of presentation, derived mainly from its logical progression. In the back is an author and subject index which is indispensable for reference. R. H. OPPERMANN. PI-IENOMENA AT THE TEMPERATURE OF LIQUID HELIUM, by E. F. Burton, H.
Grayson Smith and J. O. Wilhelm. .362 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 cms. New York, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 194o. Price 11t;6.oo. Ever since the laboratory at Leiden under K a m m e r l h g h - O n n e s first liquefied helium in July 19o8, low temperature research and exploration has been a fertile field. The findings and presumptions in this new world have been and are not less than astounding. While considerable advance has resulted from this work due mainly to persistency and development of methods there are still theoretical explanations which are as yet in the speculative stage, and the time is here when it is necessary to take stock, rei~xamine the entire field and its state of development, to determine and plan the course. It is at this stage t h a t a monograph is most useful. The present book, one of the American Chemical Society Monograph Series, discusses the many researches t h a t have taken place. Generally, it may be viewed as two parts, the first being a fairly complete introduction to the means of production of low temperatures including the liquefaction of air, nitrogen and oxygen, hydrogen and helium, the measurement of low temperatures, and the physical properties of liquid and solid helium; the second presenting the results of the impact of curious low-temperature phenomena on our modern theories of matter, particularly on the theories of the solid and liquid states. Superconductivity, specific heats at low temperatures, magnetic properties, and temperatures below I ° K. are headings. While the subjects chosen for discussion are limited to those which are of particular interest at very low temperatures, the authors have wandered freely outside the limited temperature range suggested in the title, to whatever seemed necessary or interesting. This is done in a contributory manner, not conflicting with the general trend. The work is of the same high standard format as other A.C.S. series monographs containing tabular data, curves and formul~e. Due reference is made throughout to many workers and there is an author and comprehensive subject index. The book is recommended as an authoritative source of information and an invaluable reference to the many whose interests lie in this direction, and particularly to chemists as well as physicists. ]'~. H. OPPERMANN.
J. Wall. Revised and largely rewritten by Franklin I. Jordan. 384 pages, illustrations, I6 X 24 cms. Boston, American Photographic Publishing Co., 194o. Price $2.5o. According to the preface of this book, it follows a long line of distinguished predecessors which have been the working companions of a full generation of photographers. The work was first undertaken by H. Snowden Ward and carried on in successive editions cuhninating in the edition of 1924, the predecessor of this PHOTOGRAPHIC FACTS AND FORMULAS, by E.
BOOK REVIEWS.
793
The text contains many review questions and problems which bear evidence of having been carefully formulated. The main feature of the book is simplicity of presentation, derived mainly from its logical progression. In the back is an author and subject index which is indispensable for reference. R. H. OPPERMANN. PI-IENOMENA AT THE TEMPERATURE OF LIQUID HELIUM, by E. F. Burton, H.
Grayson Smith and J. O. Wilhelm. .362 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 cms. New York, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 194o. Price 11t;6.oo. Ever since the laboratory at Leiden under K a m m e r l h g h - O n n e s first liquefied helium in July 19o8, low temperature research and exploration has been a fertile field. The findings and presumptions in this new world have been and are not less than astounding. While considerable advance has resulted from this work due mainly to persistency and development of methods there are still theoretical explanations which are as yet in the speculative stage, and the time is here when it is necessary to take stock, rei~xamine the entire field and its state of development, to determine and plan the course. It is at this stage t h a t a monograph is most useful. The present book, one of the American Chemical Society Monograph Series, discusses the many researches t h a t have taken place. Generally, it may be viewed as two parts, the first being a fairly complete introduction to the means of production of low temperatures including the liquefaction of air, nitrogen and oxygen, hydrogen and helium, the measurement of low temperatures, and the physical properties of liquid and solid helium; the second presenting the results of the impact of curious low-temperature phenomena on our modern theories of matter, particularly on the theories of the solid and liquid states. Superconductivity, specific heats at low temperatures, magnetic properties, and temperatures below I ° K. are headings. While the subjects chosen for discussion are limited to those which are of particular interest at very low temperatures, the authors have wandered freely outside the limited temperature range suggested in the title, to whatever seemed necessary or interesting. This is done in a contributory manner, not conflicting with the general trend. The work is of the same high standard format as other A.C.S. series monographs containing tabular data, curves and formul~e. Due reference is made throughout to many workers and there is an author and comprehensive subject index. The book is recommended as an authoritative source of information and an invaluable reference to the many whose interests lie in this direction, and particularly to chemists as well as physicists. ]'~. H. OPPERMANN.
J. Wall. Revised and largely rewritten by Franklin I. Jordan. 384 pages, illustrations, I6 X 24 cms. Boston, American Photographic Publishing Co., 194o. Price $2.5o. According to the preface of this book, it follows a long line of distinguished predecessors which have been the working companions of a full generation of photographers. The work was first undertaken by H. Snowden Ward and carried on in successive editions cuhninating in the edition of 1924, the predecessor of this PHOTOGRAPHIC FACTS AND FORMULAS, by E.