A Treatise on Physical Chemistry Vol. 2 of 2 - Classic Reprint

In this review of A Treatise on Physical Chemistry, Vol. 2 of 2, the reviewer finds a focused, historically minded reference suited to advanced students and practicing chemists who need detailed theoretical discussions. The book is valuable because it preserves original expository material on electrochemical concepts such as electromotive force and standard cells, and it reads like a compact scholarly volume rather than a modern textbook. Readers seeking contemporary pedagogy or extensive problem sets should note this is primarily a classic reprint and not a modern classroom manual.

Key Features

• Classic reprint: Presents the original exposition and phrasing of early physical chemistry work, useful for historical comparison and citation.
• Focused coverage: Discusses electrochemical concepts such as the electromotive force and the Weston cell in a precise, technical manner.
• Theoretical emphasis: Emphasizes conceptual understanding of electrical work done by cells, which benefits readers studying thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
• Compact reference: As the second volume of a two-volume set, it complements related material without unnecessary modern revisions, making it easy to reference specific topics.
• Scholarly tone: Written by experienced contributors, it reads like a cooperative effort by specialists and is suitable for citation in research or advanced coursework.

Who It's For

This volume is best for graduate students, researchers, and professional chemists who want historical and theoretical statements of physical chemistry principles, especially in electrochemistry. It is also appropriate for librarians and collectors who maintain classic scientific works for reference.

Those who should look elsewhere include undergraduates seeking modern pedagogical explanations, worked problem sets, or up-to-date experimental methods; instructors wanting a current classroom text; and readers expecting modern figures or didactic supplements.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful preservation of original technical discussion that aids historical and scholarly study.
• Clear treatment of electromotive force and the role of the Weston cell as a standard for measurements.
• Useful as a compact reference when paired with the first volume for broader context.

Cons

• Limited modern commentary or pedagogical aids, making it less useful as a stand-alone teaching textbook.

Specifications

Title	A Treatise on Physical Chemistry, Vol. 2 of 2 (Classic Reprint)
Author	Hugh Stott Taylor
Subject focus	Physical chemistry with emphasis on electrochemistry
Notable topic	Electromotive force and the Weston cell standard
Edition type	Classic reprint
Intended readers	Advanced students, researchers, and reference collections

Our Verdict

For readers seeking an original, technically precise discussion of classical physical chemistry topics, this volume offers strong historical and theoretical value. It is good value for specialists or libraries that need a faithful reprint of early electrochemical exposition, but not ideal for learners who require modern explanations or instructional content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume cover electrochemistry?
Yes, it includes focused discussion of electrochemical topics such as electromotive force and the Weston cell standard.

Is it suitable for undergraduate coursework?
Not generally; the book is a classic reprint with a scholarly tone and lacks modern pedagogical features and extensive problem sets.

Who authored the work?
The volume is attributed to Hugh Stott Taylor and reflects a cooperative effort by a group of physical chemists.