l6o ABSOLUTE ATOMIC WEIGHT. 



atomic weight of nitrogen, and to demonstrate beyond the 

 shadow of a doubt that the value of Stas, N= 14.04, is 

 absolutely false. 



We may say, the error of Stas and his school led to the 

 discovery of argon, which discovery in turn proved the 

 absolute fallacy of the results proclaimed by Stas and so 

 viciously maintained by his school. 



Density Determinations and Atomic Weights. 



The density of true gases is proportional to their molecu- 

 lar weight; and hence, for gases of like molecular constitu- 

 tion, this density is directly proportional to their atomic 

 weight. 



From the earliest times, density determinations have, 

 therefore, justly been considered most valued auxiliaries in 

 atomic weight determinations. 



The density determinations of nitrogen were used as 

 most valued confirmation of the Stas' atomic weight 

 N == 14.05. 



In the first edition of the u Constants of Nature," 1882, 

 p. 50, we find the following table of results for O zz: 15.96 to 

 which we add the values corresponding to the common 

 standard O r= 16. We also arrange the results in the order 

 of their magnitude. 



Atomic Weight of Nitrogen. (Clarke, 1882). 



No. For Oxygen. 15.96 16.00 



5 Ka Nitrate, 13.97 74 14.012 

 4 Ag " 13-98 40 14-019 



6 Na te 13.99 6 14.026 



1 Density, 14.02 44 H-59 

 3 Am Glide to Ag Nate, 14.03 30 14.068 



2 Am Glide, 14.03 36 14.069 



General Mean, 14.02 91 14.064 



Range, actual, 0.05 62 



u per unit, o.oo 40 



We see here really three distinct values of the atomic 

 weight of nitrogen ; we fail to see how Clarke can notice 



