IS20.] the Aloim of Barytes, Potash, Soda, 2fc. 331 



An atom of chloride of barium, therefore, weighs 13-25 ; and 

 13-25 of chloride of barium are always eqmva ent to 14-o7o ot 

 muriate of barytes ;* because, whenever the chlor.de of barium is 

 dissolved in water, it is converted into muriate of barytes. These 

 things being premised, I proceed to the experiment 



Take any quantity of pure crystals of sulphate of potash and 

 of muriate of barytes, expose them in two separate platinum 

 crucibles to a red heat, which must be continued tiU both salts 

 are completely deprived of all their water. Then dissolve 11 

 srs of iulphate of potash in distilled water Dissolve likewise 

 13-^5 p-rs of the chloride of barium in another separate portion 

 of distilled water. Now mix the two liquids together, and 

 agitate them well. Immediately the sulphuric acid unites with 

 the barytes, and the sulphate of barytes gradually precipitates 

 to the bottom. When the liquid has become transparent, draw 

 it off with a sucker, and divide it into two portions. Into one ot 

 the portions drop a little nitrate of barytes and into the other a 

 little sulphate of soda. No precipitate will appear in either por- 

 tion of the liquid, if the experiment has been rightly performed 

 I say, therefore, that the liquid contains no traces either ot 

 sulphuric acid, or of barytes. Consequently the sulphuric acid 

 in 11 grs. of sulphate of potash is just capable of neutralizing the 

 quantky of barytes in 13-25 grs. of chloride of banum, or 14-3 /5 

 L. of muriati of barytes. Whoever repeats this experiment 

 must be sure that the salts which he einploys are perfectly pure 

 and perfectly dry. The respective weights ot each must be v eiy 

 exaclly thos^e indicated above, and specia care nnis be taken 

 ?hat not a drop of either solution is lost, and that the U.o liquids 

 a e intimately mixed. I say then that I am entitled from this 

 expeHment to conclude, that the weights of the atoms of potash, 



♦ Those chemists who .-uloot the opinions oF Berzclius and the l-'''^,^'--//";'!'^; 

 respelting muriatic aciH, may state the numbers in the text .n the following 



*" Tile weight ofan atom of muriatic acid ,as is 4-625. It is composed of an atom 

 of muriatic acid and an atom of water. 



Weight of an atom of muriatic acid S'^^ 



water ' '-"" 



.... = 4-625 



Atom of muriatic acid gas 



AVhen muriatic acid gas unites to barytes, it loses its water. Vlcnce muriate of 

 barytes is a compound of 



... ., .S-50 



Muriatic acid g.^r, 



Barjtes ]_ 



= 13-25 

 Atom of muriate of barytes 



The onlv difference between this statement and that in the text is '^^he ^i;'^;';;; 

 entertained respecting the atom of water whuh escapes. ';5^ ,^.^',,'^;~ ,,,,-, „e 

 previously united to the muriatic acid, while tlios. «^''7"'^ ^he mu a .Lc mp"^ 

 a, a simple substance believe that the water i, derived ^1''"' '^'^ "'' '^'/J^, '^"^/.me, 

 tion of the muriatic acid and the barytes. The weights in both cases a.c the same, 

 Bothing differs but the names. 



