Advances in Molecular Relaxation and Interaction Processes, 14(1979) 161-162 0 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands

BOOK REVIEWS

Theory of Electric Polarization, Volume II, Dielectrics in a Time-Dependent

Field, by C.J.F. B'dttcher and P. Bordewijk,

Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., 1978.

Pp xx + 561, price US $ 121.50.

Dr. Bordewijk is to be congratulated on producing this second edition

oi Bdttcher's 'Theory ot Electric Polarization' (1952). This is a very

mUCh expanded version ot the rirst edition and appears as two volumes.

Volume one deals with the properties oi dielectrics in static rields, while

volume two deals With dielectrics in time-aepenaant rields. The revision is

a very comprenensive one, and it is claimed that over eighty per cent ot tne

material presented is new. These two volumes now present probably the most

comprehensive account ot the theory 01 dielectrics available (excluding

ettects in the tar inrra-red spectral region).

Volume two contains eight chapters and two appendices. The treatment

(like that or volume one) is predominantly tneoretical but contains a summary

or signiiicant experimental work otten written in catalogue term and otten

'relegated' to small print. The theory or dielectric relaxation, the

representation ot the trequency dependence or tne dielectric properties and

the relation between the microscopic and molecular dielectric relaxation

benaviour are consiaered in the rirst three cnapters covering one hundred

and sixty nine pages. These are tollowed by an approximately one hundred

page chapter on the dipole correlation iunCtiOn. Optical polarizability is

discussed in the next two chapters (the second dealing with the Kerr and

related eitects). The remaining two chapters would probably best be suited

tar volume one; they concern the experimental determination or dipole and

quaarupole moments, and the dielectric properties ot molecular solids and

liquid crystals. Both chapters deal cnietly with time-independent Melds.

The subject matter is clearly and comprehensively discussed tram a

theoretical aspect, with.adequate reterences to experimental results. The

experimentalist will be disappointed at tne absence or any accounts of

metnods ot measurement, wnile others will be concerned by tne omission or

any significant treatment OX the dielectrically important errects round in

the tar inrra-red spectral region between 2 cm -1 -1

and 200 cm . It is

dirricult to justiry this latter omission in any contemporary account on

dielectrics.

The book is well produced and will be a very userul text tar all

interested in dielectrics. Research workers will tina it particularly

161

162

usetul, as will senior undergraduates. However sales will be restricted as

tne price ot $ 121 is prohibitive.

A. H. P.

INTERMOLECULAR FORCES, by T Kihara (translated by S Ichimaru), John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, 1978, pp 182, price: E9-50.

This book, first published in Japanese in 1976, is a survey of the

theory of intermolecular forces. Only an elementary knowledge of quantum

mechanics is assumed, and each topic is developed from fundamental principles.

Following the introductory chapter, the symmetry of molecules is

considered - structure, ground state of atoms, linear and non-linear

molecules. Further chapters cover: electrostatic properties, potential of

dispersion forces, equation of state for gases, Lennard-Jones potential,

intermolecular potential with convex cores, potential depth depending on

molecular orientations, molecular models representing crystal structures,

viscosity and thermal conductivity of gases, and diffusion and thermal

diffusion.in gases.

A bibliography of references considered to be particularly useful

and short bibliographical notes for some of the chapters, are included.

The book provides a systematic presentation of the chemical physics of

intermolecular forces, and is suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates

in chemistry, physics and biophysics.

W.J.O.-T.