RHODIUM. 313 



RHODIUM. 



Berzelius* determined the atomic weight of this metal by the analysis 

 of sodium and potassium rhodiochlorides, NagRhClg, and K^RhClj. The 

 latter salt was dried by heating in chlorine. The compounds were ana- 

 lyzed by reduction in hydrogen, after the usual manner. Reduced to 

 percentages, the analyses are as follows : 



From the analyses of the sodium salt we get the following values for 

 Rh: 



From per cent, of metal Rh = 104. 191 



From per cent, of NaCl " = 102.449 



From per cent, of CI3 " =105.103 



From ratio between CI3 and Rh " = 104.263 



From ratio between NaCl and Rh " = 103.544 



These are discordant figures; but the last one fits in fairly well with 

 the values calculated from the potassium compound, which are as 

 follows : 



From per cent, of metal Rh = 103.499 



From per cent, of KCl " = 103.648 



From per cent, of Clg " ^= 103.485 



From Rh : CI3 ratio " = 103.495 



From Rh : KCl ratio " = 103. 540 



Mean , Rh = 103.533 



If = 16, this becomes Rh = 104.323. 



Jorgensen's determination,! so far as I can ascertain, was published 

 only as a preliminary note, to the effect that the atomic weight of rho- 

 dium is 103, nearly. No details are given. 



* Poggend. Annalen, 13, 435. 1828. 

 t Journ. fur Prakt. Chera. {2), 27, 4S6. 



