The elementary nature of chlorine / Papers by Humphry Davy (1809-1818).

  • Humphry Davy
Date:
1902
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Credit: The elementary nature of chlorine / Papers by Humphry Davy (1809-1818). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    potassium was to the muriate as 4 to 1, less hydrogen appeared, and a triple compound of muriatic acid, ammonia, and potassium, or its protoxide was formed, which was of a dark gray colour, and gave ammonia and muriate of potash by the action of water. There was not the slightest indications of the decomposition of the acid in the experiment. The process, in which this decomposition may be most reasonably conceived to take place, is in the combustion of potassium in the phosphuretted muriatic acid, deprived by simple distilla- tion with potassium of as much phosphorus as possible. I am preparing an apparatus for performing this experi- ment, in a manner which, I hope, will lead to distinct conclusions. The Bakerian Lechire for 1809. Read November 16, 1809. V. Some Considerations of Theory illustrated by new Facts* #•#### Muriatic acid gas, as I have shewn, and as is further proved by the researches of MM. Gay Lussac and Thenard, is a compound of a body unknown in a separate state, and water. The water, I believe, cannot be decompounded, unless a new combination is formed ; thus it is not changed by charcoal ignited in the gas by * [From Philosophical Transactions for 1810, vol. 100, p. 67.]