Atomic Theory for Students of Metallurgy

Abstract

“EXPERIENCE has shown,” Dr. Hume-Rothery cautiously remarks, as though introducing a statement which would arouse incredulity, “that students of metallurgy are greatly interested in the new theoretical work [on the structure and properties of metals and alloys] but are often quite unable to understand the papers or text-books written by mathematical physicists.” In this book, therefore, he has attempted to provide a bridge by means of which the student of metallurgy may be led to an understanding of the general ideas on which the modern theory is based. He can be assured that students of metallurgy, though they may sometimes suffer from the peculiar disadvantages of unimaginative and narrowly conceived technological types of training, are not alone in their misfortunes. An easy path through difficult terrain is likely to be gratefully used by many others than those for whom it was primarily made. The path here is skillfully constructed, and it affords an admirable view of many of the most interesting superficial features of the region, as well as occasional glimpses of details of the underlying structure.

Atomic Theory for Students of Metallurgy

By Dr. William Hume-Rothery. (Institute of Metals: Monograph and Report Series, No. 3.) Pp. viii + 286. (London: Institute of Metals, 1946.) 7s. 6d.