196 M. R. Bunsen on the Law of Absorption of Gases. 



how considerable such alterations, even with relatively small 

 amounts of liquid, may become under certain circumstances, and 

 to what considerable errors those eudiometric experiments may 

 be subject in which the gases are confined over water, or liquids 

 used as a means of absorption. 



For this experiment, the mixture from oxalic acid and sul- 

 phuric acid was again employed. Tbe elements for the calcula- 

 tion of formulae (14) and (15), are taken from an experiment made 

 with the absorptiometer by Dr. Atkinson ; they are as follows : — 



V =388-4; P =0-6557; A,* = 315-8; « = 0-9124; 



V I = 247-69; P,= 07395; «,t= 0-02326. 



The following composition of the gas employed is obtained 

 by substituting these values in formula (15) : — 



Absorptiometry. Theory. 



Carbonic acid . . * 49-55 50-00 



Carbonic oxide . . . 50-45 50-00 



100-00 100-00 



The absorptiometric analysis gives therefore again the values — 



V = 0-4955 and V, =0-5045. 



From these is obtained, by means of formula? (12) and (13), 

 the following composition for the residual unabsorbed gas : — 



Carbonic acid .... 31*87 

 Carbonic oxide .... 68-13 



100-00 



A eudiometrical analysis of this residual gas, made by Dr. 

 Atkinson, agrees sufficiently with this calculated composition. 

 He found, — 





Carbonic acid , 

 Carbonic oxide , 



3112 



68-88 



100-00 



The quantity of carbonic oxide contained in the mixture has 

 therefore increased from 50 - 45 to 68 - 88, although the volume 

 of the absorbing water was not so large as that of the gas. 



The phamomena which accompany the evolution of gas in 

 mineral springs, can only be fully understood by the help of the 

 law of absorption. Among the non-alkaline springs, containing 



* Called h in formula (5). t Called /3 in formula (5). 



