(1) The Principles of Electrochemistry (2) Theoretical Electrochemistry

THE introduction of the activity concept by Lewis and his collaborators, and the development of the interionic attraction theory by Debye, Hückel, Onsager, and others, have stimulated interest in certain aspects of electrochemistry, particularly those dealing with conductance, transference numbers and electrode potentials. The researches in this field of physical chemistry have fallen mainly into two categories; these are, first, improvements in experimental technique for the purpose of providing more accurate data for testing the theories that have been proposed, and secondly, extensions of the theoretical treatment so as to include the behaviour of relatively concentrated solutions. The advances made in recent years have opened up new vistas in the study of strong electrolytes, and hence it is not surprising that, almost simultaneously, two books were published, one in England and the other in the United States, dealing with the fundamental principles of electrochemistry. (1) The Principles of Electrochemistry By Duncan A. MacInnes. Pp. 478. (New York: Reinhold Publishing Corporation; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1939.) 30 s . net. (2) Theoretical Electrochemistry By N. A. McKenna. Pp. xiii + 470. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1939.) 15 s .