Volume 1

Elements of chemistry / By J. Murray.

  • Murray, J. (John), 1778-1820.
Date:
1801
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of chemistry / By J. Murray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    345/354 (page 329)
    fluoric is difengaged, and alTumes the gafeous ’ form. This gas is heavier than atmofpheric air; it has a pungent, fufFocating odour ; is incapable of fupporting combuftion; is abforbed bj water, and poflelTes all the general properties of acids. The watery folution retains thefe properties, is cauflic, and when faturated emits white fumes. The diftinguifhing property of this acid is its power of diflblving filiceous earth, which refills the action of every other acid. This earth is diflTolved by it very rapidly, and is retained in a ftate of combination, while it exifls in the flate of gas * but the contact of water pi;ecipitates the whole or the greater part of it, forming a cruft, or precipi- tate, the gas being abforbed. The faturated wa- tery folution of the acid is likewife capable of dif- folving the earth. From this property, leaden vef- fels muft be ufed in preparing and preferving it, filiceous earth being an ingredient of glafs. The aftion of this acid, either in the ftate of gas or combined with water, upon the inflamma- ble fubftances or upon the metals, is very inconfi- derable' as it cannot afford to them oxygen. It combines with the alkalis and earths, form- ing falts, termed Fluats. They are generally de- liquefcent, and not eafily cryftallized. They are decompofed by the fulphuric, nitric, and muriatic U u acids