First principles of chemistry : for the use of colleges and schools

Front matter

iiiiiiii;!''

,m

"^^-^^^'^^^^iiiiiitMiiiiiiiihuar""'"™*^

Preface To The Second Edition

The ?ale of the first edition of three thousand copies of this work in the space of a few months, has required the preparation of a new edition at an earlier date than was originally anticipated. Every part of the book has been thoroughly revised and corrected, and some portions have been entirely rewritten. At the same time, the author has desired to avoid the common error of making unimportant changes, which serve only to annoy teachers who already use the book.

The Organic Chemistry has been entirely rewritten (with the exception of the last twenty pages), by the same able hand that prepared it in the first edition. It is believed that this change will give great satisfaction to all who are not tied by prejudice to the theory of organic radicals — ^those ideal creations, which, with the appearance of simplicity, really encumber us with a load of unreal knowledge. The simpler and more truthful philosophy of the new French school, which is now for the first time presented in an elementary form, will, it is believed, be soon generally adopted.

The adopdon of this work by many of the first seminaries of learning in this country, is a gratifying evidence to the author that his design has been appreciated ; and he trusts that those who gave their confidence to the first edition, will find the present one, in some important respects, superior to it.

As the work is now stereotyped, it must remain in its present form until the progress of the science requires it to be again remodeled.

Yale College, New Haven, Ct.

Analytical Lahoratoryj Sept. 15, 1847.

FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

The object of this work is sufficiently indicated by its title. It has grown out of the exigencies of teaching, and has been receiTed as the Text Book in the public lectures at Yale College.

It is important that a work of this kind should contain only such matter as is actually taught to a class by recitations and lectures. 1*

VI PREFACE.

All fulness beyond this is unavailable to either teacher or pupil, and serves often to embarrass the one and to discourage the other. This is perhaps the reason v^^hy several works, otherwise excellent, have failed to answer the purpose for which they were written. The science of Chemistry has now reached the point where its First Principles can be presented by the teacher with almost mathematical precision.

Chemistry has attractions of an economical and experimental character, which will always secure for it a place in every system of education. Without wishing to diminish its claims to attention on these grounds, the author urges the paramount advantages possessed by his favorite science, as a study peculiarly fitted to train the mind to a methodized and logical habit of thought. If nothing more is to be derived from its study than the entertainment offered by brilliant phenomena, and a knowledge of convenient economical processes, the pupil will fail of its most important advantage. The beautiful philosophy, the perspicuous nomenclature, and lucid method of modern chemistry, are so obvious that they cannot fail to awaken the attention of every intelligent pupil, and carry him on his course of intellectual culture with rapid progress. * * ♦ ♦

The author has consulted all the best authorities within his reach, both in the standard systems of England and France, and in the scientific journals of this country and Europe. The works of Daniell, Graham, Brande, Kane, Fownes, Gregory, Faraday, Mitscherlich, Berzelius, Dumas, Liebig, and Gerhardt, have all been used, as also the treatises of Dr. Hare and Prof. Silliman.

The Organic Chemistry is presented mainly in the order of Liebig in his Traite de Chimie Organiqve. The author takes pleasure in acknowledging the important aid derived in this portion of the work from his friend and professional assistant, Mr. Thomas S. Hunt, whose familiarity with the philosophy and details of Chemistry, will not fail to make him one of its ablest followers. The labor of compiling the Organic Chemistry has fallen almost solely upon him. ♦♦*••♦•*♦*

If it shall be found to meet the wants of both teachers and pupils, and to promote the progress of Scientific Chemistry in this coun tyy, the author will feel that he has not labored in vain.

New Haven, December 1, 1846.

Part I. Physics

PAGE

Introduction, . . 13

Sources of Knowledge, 13 Distinction between the ancient and modern philosophy, ... 14 Physical and Intellectual

Philosophy, . . 14 General divisions of our knowledge of nature, 15 Matter. — General Properties

of Matter, . . 16 Molecules, or Atoms, 17

Indestructibility of Matter,

and Cohesion, . . 18 Repulsion and Chemical

Attraction, . . 19 Elements and Imponderable Agents, . . 20 The Three States of Matter—the Solid, the Fluid, and the Gaseous, 21 The Atmosphere and Laws

of Gases, . . 24

Air-Pump, . . 26

Law of Mariotte, . 27 Barometer, . . 29

Limits of the Atmosphere, 32 Weight and Specific Gravity, ... 33 Standards of Specific Gravity, . . . 34 Specific Gravity of Liquids, 35

PAGR

Specific Gravity of Solids, 36

The Hydrometer, . 39

Specific Gravity of Gases, 41

Light, Sources and Nature, 41

Reflection, ... 43

Refraction, . . 44 Prism and Analysis of

Light, ... 46 Double Refraction, . 48 Polarization, . . 49 Chemical Rays, . . 50 Spectral Impressions, . 51 Phosphorescence, . 52 Heat — Sources, . . 53 Expansion, . . 55 Thermometers, . . 56 Pyrometers, . . 62 Laws of Expansion, . 63 Unequal Expansion of Water, . . . 65 Communication of Heat, 67 Conduction, . . 68 Convection of Heat, . 71 Radiant Heat, . . 72 Absorption, . . 73 Transmission of Heat, 74 Melloni's Experiments, 75 Specific Heat or Capacity, 78 Changes produced by Heat in the State of Bodies, Liquefaction, . . 79 Freezing and Melting, 81, 82

VI ]1

Contents

Vaporization, (Boiling-

PAGE

Electroscopes, .