The development of the atomic theory.

  • Andrew Norman Meldrum
Date:
[1910-1911]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The development of the atomic theory. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    could not bring himself to accept it.H It was criticised adversely by Dr. Bostock in Nicholson's Journal, and Dalton, in reply, quoted in support of it analyses by’ Dr. Bostock. He then remarks :—“ A number of such analyses as these would compel Dr. Bostock and others of your chemical readers to examine the theory/ of chemical combinations which I have offered to them with more attention, than I fear they do. The present state of chemical science imperiously/ demands it,”10 In France, also, the theory was coldly’ received. Berthollet naturally opposed it, for in its general tendency' it condemned his attempt to obliterate the distinction between physical and chemical forces, and, in particular, it was contradictory of his doctrine of chemical com- bination in indefinite proportions (see the first paper of this series). He considered Dalton’s theory too hypothetical, and his opposition had great influence. Gay-Lussac, who had been his pupil, was unable to “ rid himself of preconceptions due to early training.” In his famous memoir, on the proportions by’ volume in which gases combine, he remained an adherent of Berthollet. Gay-Lussac was always timid in matters of theory’. Such was his temperament. On one occasion he laid it down that “ in natural science, and, above all, in chemistry, creneralisation should come after, and not before, a minute o knowledge of each fact.” Such a man was not very likely to subscribe to a doctrine like Dalton’s, which promised to transform the whole province of chemistry. Gay-Lussac admitted the facts adduced by Dalton and Thomson and Wollaston, and that was all. Gay-Lussac conceded to Dalton as much as he must, and nothing more. From his own results it seems obvious 0 Roscoe and Harden, op. cit. p. 153. 10 Nicholson's Journal, vol 29, p. 150, 1S11. 11 Ann. Chim. Pliys., vol. n, p, 297, 1S19.
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