Elements of chemistry, in two volumes / by John Murray.

  • Murray, John.
Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of chemistry, in two volumes / by John Murray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/768 (page 18)
    OF AMMONIA. Nitrate of Ammonia. This salt, prepared by add- ing carbonate of. ammonia to dilute nitric acid, and eva- porating the solution, crystallizes in slender four-sided prisms, or, if the solution has been more concentrated, in indistinct crystals, which form a compact mass, retaining less water of crystallization than the more regular crys- tals. Its taste is cool and bitter; it is deliquescent, and soluble in two parts of cold water, and half its weight of boiling water. It undergoes the watery fusion, from a moderate heat, and the water of crystallization is expell- ed ; if the heat is increased, it is decomposed ; and if raised to ignition, there is detonation from the combina- tion of the oxygen of the acid with the hydrogen of the ammonia. This happens at temperatures above 600° : at temperatures between 300° and 500°, the decomposition proceeds more slowly ; the products are nitrous oxide and watery vapour, and it is from this decomposition that nitrous oxide is obtained in its purest form : the salt is used only for procuring this gas. Sulphate of Ammonia crystallizes in slender six-sided prisms acuminated by six planes. It is soluble in about two parts of water at 60°, and in an equal weight of boil- ing water: is slightly efflorescent. Exposed to heat it melts and is decomposed, part of the ammonia being ex- haled ; at ignition its acid is decomposed. Sulphite of Ammonia requires less than its own weight of boiling wa- ter for its solution, and the solution crystallizes on cool- ing ; its crystals being transparent six-sided prisms. Hy- posulphite of Ammonia, according to Mr Herschell, is composed of two proportions of acid to one of base. It has a pungent taste, and does not readily crystallize. When heated, it burns with a feeble flame, and entirely disappears. Phosphate of Ammonia is soluble in four parts of