Subject
Phlogiston Books
Best books
Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2
"Discovery of Oxygen, Part 2" by Carl Wilhelm Scheele is a scientific publication written in the late 18th century. This work focuses on Scheele's experiments and theories regarding the discovery of oxygen and its properties, detailing the chemical processes involved. The book illustrates the foundational work of natural philosophy that eventually contributed to modern chemistry. The text contains a detailed account of various experiments conducted by Scheele to isolate and understand the nature of oxygen. Through his meticulous method, he explores the composition of air, identifying its constituent gases and discussing how other substances interact with it. For instance, he describes experiments that showcase the reactions between fire and different types of air, yielding observations about fire-air and vitiated air. Scheele argues against previous theories and presents new methodologies that clarify the role of gases in combustion and respiration, thereby laying the groundwork for the understanding of oxygen as it is known today.
Joseph Black
Experiments upon magnesia alba, Quicklime, and some other Alcaline Substances
"Experiments upon Magnesia Alba, Quicklime, and some other Alcaline Substances" by Joseph Black, M.D. is a scientific publication written in the mid-18th century. Authored by a prominent chemist and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, the book presents a thorough investigation of various alkaline substances and their properties, particularly focusing on magnesia alba and quicklime. It marks a significant contribution to the early development of modern chemistry, highlighting experimental methods and quantitative analysis. In this work, Black meticulously documents a series of experiments aimed at understanding the chemical properties and behavioral interactions of magnesia alba and quicklime with various acids and other substances. He elucidates the process of obtaining magnesia from different sources, such as epsom salt and the mother of nitre, and investigates their behavior in reactions with acids like vitriolic and nitrous acid. The experiments reveal the distinct behaviors of these alkaline substances, particularly how they absorb fixed air and their ability to interact with acids, which led Black to propose foundational ideas regarding the properties of alkaline earths. His careful documentation of these experiments not only showcases the emerging quantitative method in chemistry but also provides early insights into acid-base reactions, setting a precedent for future chemical research.
Recently surfaced classics