DETONATING SILVER. 141 



be made by dissolvin«^ silver in pure nitric acid, and pouring 



into the sobitiou, while it is goin<? on, a sufficient quantity of 



rectiiied alcohol : or by adding alcohol to a nitric solution of 



silver with considerable excess of acid. 



In the first case the nitric acid, into which the silver is put, Poumitricacid 

 1 1 -11 1 1 • ' >l1 i • oi^ Sliver, heat 



must be heated gently, till the solution commences, that is [^ gently, 

 tin the first bubbles begin to appear. It is then to be re- 

 moved from the fire, and a sufficient quantity of alcohol is to & add alcohol, 

 be added immediately, to prevent the evolution of any ni- 

 trous vapours. The mixture of the two liquors occasions an 

 extrication of heat; the effervescence quickly recommences, 

 without any nitrous gas being disengaged; and it gradually 

 increases, emitting at the same time a strong smell of nitric 

 ether. In a short time the liquor becomes turbid, and a very 

 heavy, white, crystalline powder falls down ; which must be 

 separated, when it ceases to increase, and washed several wash the p'reci- 

 timeswith small quantities of water. pitate. 



If a very acid solution of silver previously made be em- Or to a heated 

 ployed, it must be heated gently, and the alcohol then added, ^^'^^add dcu-^' 

 The heat excited by the mixture, which is to be made gra- hoi. 

 dually, soon occasions a considerable ebullition, and the pow- 

 der immediately precipitates*. 



This powder has the following properties. 



It is white and crystalline; but the size and lustre of the xts properties. 

 crystals are variable. Light alters it a little. Heat, a blow, 

 or long continued friction, causes it to inflame v/ith a brisk 

 detonation. Pressure alone, if it be not very powerful, has 

 no effect on it. It likewise detonates by the electric spark. 

 It is slightly soluble in water. It has a very strong metallic 

 taste. 



Concentrated sulphuric acid occasions it to take fire, and Action of I 

 is thrown by it to a considerable distance. Dilute sulphuric phuric acid oa 

 Acid appears to decompose it slowly. *^* 



V Muriatic acid, whether concentrated or weak, decomposes Of muriatic. 

 it immediately, and forms w4th it muriate of silver. The 

 quantity of muriate it produces indicates, that it contains 



..about 0-7] of metallic silver. A pretty evident smell of Smell of pru$- 



sic acid. 

 * It would be superfluous to remind the chemi-t, that the mixture of 

 ^alcohol with hot uitric acid is liable to occasion accidents, and that it is 

 consequently prudent, to operate oa small quantities. 



prussic 



