On new compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and on certain other products obtained during the decomposition of oil by heat / [Michael Faraday].

  • Michael Faraday
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On new compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and on certain other products obtained during the decomposition of oil by heat / [Michael Faraday]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    would approximate of course to a simple carburet of hydrogen containing single proportionals. New carburet of hydrogen. Of the various other products from the condensed liquor, the next most definite to the bi-carburet of hydrogen appears to be that which is most volatile. If a portion of the original liquid be warmed by the hand, or otherwise, and the vapour which passes off be passed through a tube at o°, very little uncondensed vapour will go on to the mercurial trough ; but there will be found after a time a portion of fluid in the tube, distinguished by the following properties. Though a liquid at o°, it upon slight elevation of temperature begins to boil, and before it has attained 320, is all resolved into vapour or gas, which may be received and preserved over mercury. This gas is very combustible, and burns with a brilliant flame. The specific gravity of the portion I obtained was between 27 and 28, hydrogen being 1 : for 39 cubic inches introduced into an exhausted glass globe were found to in- crease its weight 22.4 grains at 6o° F. bar. 29.94. Hence 100 cubic inches weigh nearly 57.44 grains. When cooled to o° it condensed again, and inclosed in this state in a tube of known capacity, and hermetically sealed up, the bulk of a given weight of the substance at common temperatures was ascertained. This compared with water gave the specific gravity of the liquid as 0.627 at 54°. It is therefore among solids or liquids the lightest body known. This gas or vapour when agitated with water is absorbed in small quantities. Alcohol dissolves it in large quantity ; and a solution is obtained, which, upon the addition of water,
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