147 



raocliemicrtl change would not be affected by such a process Ijecause it de- 

 pends only on the initial and final products. 



Objection is made to the atoniie-niolecular explanation (.Smith Inor- 

 ganic Cliemistry, p. 424) because it is used to explain the oxidizing activity 

 of hypoclilorous acid but is not often used to explain that of sulphuric acid 

 or of double decompositions, as the action of sulphuric acid on salt. Con- 

 cerning tlie former it may be said that it should be applied as rigidly in 

 one case as the other. Tlie pre-heating in the case of sulphuric acid may 

 be considered as necessary for the decomposition of the acid to form 

 atomic oxygen, and is often so considered. Concerning sucli actions as that 

 of acid on sale it may be replied that they are explained by as "fairy"' 

 a theory, viz., the electron modification of the ionic theory. 



Even if the activity of nascent hjdrogen is finally found to vary 

 greatly with the sources of its production the iitomic-molecular explanation 

 •vill still be sufficient. For the absorbing or atomizing power of the ele- 

 ments varies greatly ; and for those having little atomizing p(jwer the 

 smoothnes.s and other characteristics of the superfiicial surfaces nnist 

 deiermine the relative cliances of the atoms meeting to form molecules or 

 of acting on the other material present. 



The investigation of the sulijei-t will be continued as opportunity offers. 



