Abstract
BOTH parts of this book are bound in one volume. Part i. contains chapters dealing with forces, moments, work, power, energy, machines, various types of mechanism, friction, stress and strain. The matter in this part is taken from the author's “Introduction to Applied Mechanics,” which was reviewed in NATURE of January 20, 1916. The experimental work described in this part is weak. Six experiments in all are described; the first three only are numbered. Judging from the use made of spring balances in two of the experiments, these appliances have no weight. Part ii. is new, and consists of five chapters dealing with types of heat engines, measurement of heat energy, properties of steam, expansion, indicator diagrams, and the transmission of heat. There are a summary of the contents at the end of each chapter, and also some exercises to be worked by the student. Ten experiments are described in this part. No table of the properties of steam is given; a graph is included, but stops at 100 lb. per square inch; since it is reproduced to a small scale, accurate readings cannot be taken from it. There is evidence of haste in the compilation. On p. 2 the piston ring is described as a “junk” ring; Fig. 6 (c) on p. 9 is wrongly arranged; it is stated on p. 39 that Boyle discovered his law in 1862; on p. 50 a diagram traced by an indicator is described as “a diagram of resultant force or effort upon a body.” Some of the diagrams are badly reproduced, this being owing to the quality of paper used. Considering the book as a whole, the young student will find some parts interesting and helpful; other parts are treated unsuitably, and a considerable amount of supplementary matter will have to be supplied by his teacher.
A Primer of Engineering Science.
By E. S. Andrews. Part i., “First Steps in Applied Mechanics.” Part ii., “First Steps in Heat and Heat Engines.” Pp. ix + 95 + 67. (London: James Selwyn and Co., 1918.) Price 3s. 9d. net.
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A Primer of Engineering Science . Nature 102, 45 (1918). https://doi.org/10.1038/102045b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/102045b0