The elementary nature of chlorine : papers / by Humphry Davy.

  • Davy Humphry, Sir, 1778-1829.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elementary nature of chlorine : papers / by Humphry Davy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    number representing the proportion in which sodium combines with bodies 22.;* from which it is evident, that a grain of sodium ought to absorb nearly 2 cubical inches of oxymuriatic gas, and that the same quantity converted into soda, would decompose nearly four cubical inches of muriatic gas. Muriate of soda ought on this idea to contain one proportion of sodium, 22., and one of oxymuriatic gas 32.9; and this estimation is very near that which may be gained from Dr. Marcet's analysis of this substance. Hydrat of potash ought to consist of i proportion of potash, represented by 48., and one of water, represented by 8.5. This gives its composition as 15.1 of water, and 84 9 of potash. Hydrat of soda ought, according to theory, to contain i proportion of soda 29.5, and I of water 8.5, which will give in 100 parts 22.4 of water ; and the experiments that I have detailed, conform as well as can be expected with these conclusions. The proportions of potash and soda indicated, in different neutral combinations, by these estimations, will be found to agree very nearly with those derived from the most accurate analysis, particularly those of M. Berthollet; or the differences are such as admit of an easy explanation. I stated in my last communication, the probability that the oxygene in the hyperoxymuriate of potash was in triple combination with the metal and oxymuriatic gas; the new facts respecting the peroxide confirm this idea. Potassium, perfectly saturated with oxygene, would probably contain six proportions; for, according 'to Mr. Chenevix's analysis, which is confirmed by one made in the Laboratory of the Royal Institution, by Mr. E. Davy, hyperoxymuriate of potash must consist of 40.5 potassium, 32.9 oxymuriatic gas, and 45 of oxygene. I have mentioned, that by strongly heating the per- * [Note not reprinted.]