Ignition, Electric and Compression Expounded from All Angles
Page 28
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SCIENTISTS, and others, may often be heard to say that the more knowledge they acquire about a certain subject the more they become 'aware of their ignorance of it. If this be so, J. D. Morgan, D.Sc., who has just produced a book called "Principles of Ignition " (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 12s. 6c1.), must have .a very full understanding of the magnitude of the information that is not in his possession, for to the ordinary reader he appears to know all that there is to be known about this particular matter.
We think it ?nay be taken for granted, however, that this bbok does in fact contain all the available knowledge of the principles of ignition. It deals with all " the main facts and theories relating to the ignition of infiamlnabla gas mixtures by sparks, flames, incandescent solids and other sources."
The facts referred to are described lucidly and comprehensively, whilst the theories are fully outlined in explanation, in most cases, of the facts. • Of most interest to the engineers in our industry are probably the sections on spark ignition and cOmpretsion ignition (one of th0 " other sources "). Ignition by _incandescent solids, too, is relevant to the commercial-motor field in so far it affects the phenomenon of preignition.
Containing 130 pages of text, illustrated with graphs, tables and diagrams; the book is of a highly specialized nature and certainly cannot be described as "light reading." Nevertheless, although its main appeal is to the' advanced technician—to whom it should be of real assistante—ttere is much within its well-bound pages that will clear up many of the points, in connection with. ignition and attendant pilenotnena, that often puzzle the enquiring minds of,all sorts and conditions of man associated with the internal." combustion engines of Okad transport.