400 STUDIES ON THE PHENOMENA OP CONTACT. 



of lead and of manganese, contains traces of ozone. The quantity of tliis last 

 depends ou the temperature at wliicli the oxide gives vip its oxygen ; the oxides 

 which give up their oxygen most readily yield the most ozone. 



Again, every one knows that by decomposing the bioxide of barytes at the 

 ordinary temperature by the action of sulphui-ic acid, M. Houzeau has obtained 

 ozone in great quantity. It is known, since chemistry has existed as a science, 

 how much the nascent state of a body influences the combinations which it 

 is capable of effecting ; one combination is possible only when one of the bodies 

 which enter into it is in the nascent state ; another only when the two bodies 

 which form it arc in that state. What is called "nascent state " is, in my view, 

 nothing else but the allotropic state of the bodies entering into combination ; an 

 opinion which I long since made public, and in which M. Houzeau seems to 

 concur with me. 



From all these facts it appears incontestable that in every case in wliicli oxygen 

 enters into combination or ahandons its combinations it is in the state of ozone. 

 If, then, we reflect on the results already obtained with hydrogen, chlorine, 

 bromine, sulphur, phosphorus, &:c., we shall be led to the conclusion that it must 

 probably be the same with all simple bodies ; that is to say, that all these bodies 

 may assume an allotroj^ic state analogous to ozone ; that they are in that state 

 at the moment of entering into combination, or when they are in the "nascent 

 state." 



When a body in this allotropic state is isolated, as, for example, ozone pre- 

 pared by sulphuric acid and the bioxide of barytes, or in any other manner, we 

 may observe that it passes by degrees, and in a very short time, to its ordinary 

 state ; and this is as it should be, for this body has necessarily a tendency to the 

 state of equilibrium which is observed in all parts of nature. We have said 

 that ozone is an allotropic state of oxygen; it is sometimes called "electrified 

 oxygen."* As has been shown, it is oxygen whose polarity is developed in the 

 highest possible degree. When ozone is produced, it is as though we took a 

 molecule of oxygen in a neutral electric state and "deprived it more or less com- 

 pletely of its positive fluid. It is clear that this molecule will constantly tend 

 to reabsoib this lost fluid, that it may return to its natural state of equilibrium. 

 This is the reason why the stability of bodies in this state is so slight. 



We have noticed the influence exerted ou the polarity of bodies by electricity. 

 The action of light, in this respect, is not less manifest. The properties of 

 chlorine exposed to diffused iight, and of chlorine exposed to the solar light, 

 constitute a striking example of what has just been said. Besides, many of the 

 phenomena before spoken of, are best produced under the influence of light. To 

 what extent heat operates in the development of polarity has been known 

 since it was observed that certain combinations, which could not be effected at 

 the ordinary temperature, are successfully brought about when the temperature 

 of the reacting bodies is raised. To cite one example, Avhich will be suf- 

 ficient; when we have a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen in a glass 

 receiver at the ordinary temperature, these gases will not combine; but if 

 the mixture be heated, combination takes place immediately, because the heat 

 develops the polarity of the two gases. But how do heat, light, and electricity 

 develop polarity 1 This question we shall answer hereafter. The contact of 

 a third body, not susceptible of combining with one or other of the two reacting 

 bodies, is another condition which greatly modifies the polarity of bodies. This 

 third body acts by its presence like heat, electricity, &c., in the development 

 of polarity. Berzelius thought he had detected in these phenomena of contact 

 the existence of a new force, which he called catalytic force, but in reality there 

 is nothing here but a phenomenon of polarity, as will be presently shown. 



* It is thus designated by M. Scoutteten iu liis treatise on ozone, which name, however, is 

 erroneous. 



