- Email: [email protected]
Special relativity. The foundation of macroscopic physics
pretences to foretell events’, and even if few people now believe them to be portents, they still exert a mighty fascination. In their book John Brandt and Robert Chapman refer to the old superstitions but most of their book gives a clear account of present day theories about comets, and describes the evidence on which they are based. They also devote a chapter to a review of proposed space missions to comets. As a bonus there is a good historical introduction and a delightful and well-illustrated chapter on comet lore. A bibliography is also provided; it seems adequate enough though I am sorry to see no mention of Pingre’s great Cometographie of 1783. The text assumesthe reader to have some familiarity with astronomy, but the small amount of mathematics will tax no science student; indeed, the book should be accessible to amateur astronomers and even to those of the general public who read science books of a grade above the usual level of popularisation. This inexpensive paperback edition, the outcome of many requests following on publication of the hardback, is therefore much to be welcomed. Colin A. Ronan
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences. Editor in Chief, David G. Smith. Pp. 496. Cambridge University Press. 1982. f 19.95.
The sense of drama and excitement aroused by modern discoveries in geology is well conveyed in this colourfully and copiously illustrated book, beautifully printed (in Spain) on high quality paper. Strongly bound in format 255mm x 262mm it is taken well beyond coffee table status by the quality and authority of its content. The scope of modern knowledge and basic concepts in earth science, now illuminated by the bright lights of the plate tectonics theory, extra-terrestrial exploration, and significant geophysical and geochemical discoveries, is clearly explained in 27 contributed chapters arranged in 6 parts: The earth sciences in perspective (24~~); Physics and chemistry of the earth (128~~); Crustal processes and evolution (112~~); Surface processes and environments (136~~); Evaluation of earth resources and hazards (32~~); Extraterrestrial geology (24~~). The distinguished editorial advisory board has achieved a reasonable balance in subject matter, but many readers will seek in vain a chapter devoted to modern geological views on the nature of formation and occurrence of those natural resources so interesting and important to man-the fossil fuels, metalliferous mineral deposits, and industrially useful rocks and minerals. The index, glossary, and further reading list complete a thoroughly readable, useful, and timely book which provides insight without jargon for the serious student and general reader alike. G. R. Davk
156
Special Relativity. The Foundation of Macroscopic Physics. By W. G. Dixon. Pp. 261. Cambridge University Press. 1982. Paperbackf9.95.
This book aims to provide a 4-dimensional formulation (using- index notation throughout) for thermodynamical laws as applied first to simple fluids and then to polarizable fluids in an electromagnetic field. This is a worthy aim in view of the small number of texts on relativistic thermodynamics. The task is left to the final two chapters of the book, the first three chapters being concerned with the development of relativity. Chapter 1 discusses the foundations of the theory; chapter 2 the mathematical machinery for dealing with rectilinear coordinate transformations of the form, xa=Azcr +k” (summation over (Y being understood) which embrace Galilean as well as Lorentz not fully (although transformations general); and chapter 3 deals with the dynamics of freely moving particles and then a freely moving continuum. The book is written from the viewpoint of a mathematician rather than a physicist in the manner in which topics are introduced, and in my opinion it will be most appreciated by readers who already have some familiarity with the topics. The parallel development of Newtonian and relativistic mechanics in chapter 3 is attractive. Again the invariance under the above affine transformations is an attractive express which to framework in thermodynamical laws. This interesting and unusual presentation is to be recommended to both advanced students and researchers. P. F. Browne Solution Behavior of Surfactants. Theoretical and Applied Aspects. Vols. 1 and 2. Edited by K. L. Mittall and E. J. Fendler. Pp. 1544. Plenum, New York. 1982. $85.00 each volume.
Over the last decade the solution properties of surfactants have received much attention and a variety of different approaches have been used to investigate these systems. These volumes are the third in a series which presents the papers and discussions of a biennial international symposium on surfactant solutions. The symposium covered by these volumes was held in June/ July 1980. The text is a compendium of 84 papers, 76 of which were contributed at the meeting. Obviously, it is impossible to comment on, or to list, all the 84 papers included in these volumes; this number is impressive and many of the authors are internationally recognised experts and their papers are what would be expected of them. Since collected papers are no substitute for the introduction and background development of a general text for teaching and reference purposes, such compendia are mainly of interest to experts or workers in the field and these two volumes are no exception. In common with other
conference proceedings, the text has certain advantages: the contributions are up-todate, are presented by expert activists in the relevant fields and cover a much broader spectrum of material than a single author would be able to cope with. Certain disadvantages, however, are that the work lacks continuity; often expresses the detailed specialization of the contributor; and sometimes there is little in common between successive papers. In this work, we do, however, have a timely collection of overview papers which enable semi-experts to obtain an assessment of the current situation concerning the solution properties of surface active agents. It is a shame that such volumes are not available shortly after the conference, especially bearing in mind that the 1982 conference has now taken place. These volumes will be useful to anyone who seeks to learn about the recent developments in the various special fields associated with surfactant solutions. E. Wyn-Jones
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 33,1992. Edited by D. S. Rabinovitch with J. M. Schurr and H. L. Strauss. Pp. 597. Annual Reviews Inc., Palo Alto. 1982. $22.00 (USA), $25.00 elsewhere.
Volume 33 in this series is unusual in beginning with a short scientific autobiography by Joseph E. Mayer from his pre-1914 childhood to his resignation from Johns Hopkins in 1938. Readers who pick up this volume to bring themselves up to date on some of its twenty different topics would be well advised to spare a few minutes for such a humane account of a scientist during a period of unprecedented advances in turbulent times. All the subjects have been reviewed by contributors renowned in their own fields and the standard of their presentation is excellent. The continuing interest of physical chemists in biological problems is exemplified in five papers on the structures of proteins and other biological macromolecules, the effect of conformational changes upon the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen, and the transduction mechanism in muscle. Six papers present various aspects of photochemistry and spectroscopy including high pressure luminescence, EPR transient methods, and resonance Raman scattering. Three papers are purely theoretical covering complex coordinates in molecular structure, the Xcr method in structure calculations, and dynamics of predissociation, and three more on structure and bonding describe metal cluster reactions, hydrocarbon bond energies, and the conductivity of polyacetylene. Two papers on molecular dynamics of entangled polymers and condensed phases and one on collisions of Rydberg atoms with molecules complete the volume. These reviews meet an ever-growing need
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences. Editor in Chief, David G. Smith. Pp. 496. Cambridge University Press. 1982. f 19.95.
The sense of drama and excitement aroused by modern discoveries in geology is well conveyed in this colourfully and copiously illustrated book, beautifully printed (in Spain) on high quality paper. Strongly bound in format 255mm x 262mm it is taken well beyond coffee table status by the quality and authority of its content. The scope of modern knowledge and basic concepts in earth science, now illuminated by the bright lights of the plate tectonics theory, extra-terrestrial exploration, and significant geophysical and geochemical discoveries, is clearly explained in 27 contributed chapters arranged in 6 parts: The earth sciences in perspective (24~~); Physics and chemistry of the earth (128~~); Crustal processes and evolution (112~~); Surface processes and environments (136~~); Evaluation of earth resources and hazards (32~~); Extraterrestrial geology (24~~). The distinguished editorial advisory board has achieved a reasonable balance in subject matter, but many readers will seek in vain a chapter devoted to modern geological views on the nature of formation and occurrence of those natural resources so interesting and important to man-the fossil fuels, metalliferous mineral deposits, and industrially useful rocks and minerals. The index, glossary, and further reading list complete a thoroughly readable, useful, and timely book which provides insight without jargon for the serious student and general reader alike. G. R. Davk
156
Special Relativity. The Foundation of Macroscopic Physics. By W. G. Dixon. Pp. 261. Cambridge University Press. 1982. Paperbackf9.95.
This book aims to provide a 4-dimensional formulation (using- index notation throughout) for thermodynamical laws as applied first to simple fluids and then to polarizable fluids in an electromagnetic field. This is a worthy aim in view of the small number of texts on relativistic thermodynamics. The task is left to the final two chapters of the book, the first three chapters being concerned with the development of relativity. Chapter 1 discusses the foundations of the theory; chapter 2 the mathematical machinery for dealing with rectilinear coordinate transformations of the form, xa=Azcr +k” (summation over (Y being understood) which embrace Galilean as well as Lorentz not fully (although transformations general); and chapter 3 deals with the dynamics of freely moving particles and then a freely moving continuum. The book is written from the viewpoint of a mathematician rather than a physicist in the manner in which topics are introduced, and in my opinion it will be most appreciated by readers who already have some familiarity with the topics. The parallel development of Newtonian and relativistic mechanics in chapter 3 is attractive. Again the invariance under the above affine transformations is an attractive express which to framework in thermodynamical laws. This interesting and unusual presentation is to be recommended to both advanced students and researchers. P. F. Browne Solution Behavior of Surfactants. Theoretical and Applied Aspects. Vols. 1 and 2. Edited by K. L. Mittall and E. J. Fendler. Pp. 1544. Plenum, New York. 1982. $85.00 each volume.
Over the last decade the solution properties of surfactants have received much attention and a variety of different approaches have been used to investigate these systems. These volumes are the third in a series which presents the papers and discussions of a biennial international symposium on surfactant solutions. The symposium covered by these volumes was held in June/ July 1980. The text is a compendium of 84 papers, 76 of which were contributed at the meeting. Obviously, it is impossible to comment on, or to list, all the 84 papers included in these volumes; this number is impressive and many of the authors are internationally recognised experts and their papers are what would be expected of them. Since collected papers are no substitute for the introduction and background development of a general text for teaching and reference purposes, such compendia are mainly of interest to experts or workers in the field and these two volumes are no exception. In common with other
conference proceedings, the text has certain advantages: the contributions are up-todate, are presented by expert activists in the relevant fields and cover a much broader spectrum of material than a single author would be able to cope with. Certain disadvantages, however, are that the work lacks continuity; often expresses the detailed specialization of the contributor; and sometimes there is little in common between successive papers. In this work, we do, however, have a timely collection of overview papers which enable semi-experts to obtain an assessment of the current situation concerning the solution properties of surface active agents. It is a shame that such volumes are not available shortly after the conference, especially bearing in mind that the 1982 conference has now taken place. These volumes will be useful to anyone who seeks to learn about the recent developments in the various special fields associated with surfactant solutions. E. Wyn-Jones
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 33,1992. Edited by D. S. Rabinovitch with J. M. Schurr and H. L. Strauss. Pp. 597. Annual Reviews Inc., Palo Alto. 1982. $22.00 (USA), $25.00 elsewhere.
Volume 33 in this series is unusual in beginning with a short scientific autobiography by Joseph E. Mayer from his pre-1914 childhood to his resignation from Johns Hopkins in 1938. Readers who pick up this volume to bring themselves up to date on some of its twenty different topics would be well advised to spare a few minutes for such a humane account of a scientist during a period of unprecedented advances in turbulent times. All the subjects have been reviewed by contributors renowned in their own fields and the standard of their presentation is excellent. The continuing interest of physical chemists in biological problems is exemplified in five papers on the structures of proteins and other biological macromolecules, the effect of conformational changes upon the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen, and the transduction mechanism in muscle. Six papers present various aspects of photochemistry and spectroscopy including high pressure luminescence, EPR transient methods, and resonance Raman scattering. Three papers are purely theoretical covering complex coordinates in molecular structure, the Xcr method in structure calculations, and dynamics of predissociation, and three more on structure and bonding describe metal cluster reactions, hydrocarbon bond energies, and the conductivity of polyacetylene. Two papers on molecular dynamics of entangled polymers and condensed phases and one on collisions of Rydberg atoms with molecules complete the volume. These reviews meet an ever-growing need