Elements of Chemistry - Classic Reprint Author:Robert Kane ELEMENTS OF CHEMISTRY. The science of chemistry has its origin in the principle, that the bodies which constitute the external world are composed of a variety of elements, united according to certain laws. If we could eonceive a universe consisting only of iron, or quicksilver, or sulphur, the objects of the astronomer might still remain as exte... more »nsive and as sublime as they are in the actual state of things ; for, in tracing the constitution of planetary and satellitic systems, or reducing to precise laws the forces by which the motions of the heavenly bodies might be produced, all the resources of his science would still be brought into play. In like manner, the physical sci ences could attain perfection, for the relations of these bodies to heat, to light, to electricity, the various problems and laws of statical and dynamical forces, could have been known, and thus all that is essential to the science of natural philosophy might be attained. But not even an idea of chemistry could h
Table of Contents
CONTENTS; INTRODUCTION Origin and Objects of Chemistry 9; CHAPTER I; Of gravity and cohesive foeces, as characterizing chemical substan-; ces; Specific Gravities of Bodies 11; Constitution of Matter 17; Capillarity and Elasticity 19; Phenomena of Solution 22; Crystallization 23; Systems of Crystallization 26; CHAPTER II; of the peopeeties of light as characterizing chemical substances; Reflection and Refraction of Light 32; Double Refraction 34; Polarization of Light 38; Circular Polarization 41; Wave Theory of Light 42; CHAPTER III; Or heat considered as characterizing; chemical substances; Section I; Of Expansion 46; Nature of Temperature 49; Thermometers 50; Pyrometers 54; Expansion of Air and Gases 56; --Liquids 58; --Solids 60; Section II; Specific Heat 63 Connexion of Specific Heat and; the Chemical Constitution 66; Specific Heats of Gases 69; Section III; Of' IAquej'action 70; Latent Heat of Liquids 71;« less