1892.] Formation and Decomposition of Nitrous Acid. 



35 



It will be evident from the above experiments that the ratio of 

 nitrous to nitric acid increases slightly with rise of temperature up 

 to 32, but from this point it decreases so that the values at 9 and 42 

 are nearly identical. 



These results, in the case of acid of the concentration used, would 

 seem to indicate that the phenomenon is not entirely one of solution, 

 >ut partly also of reversible chemical changes, the difference in their 

 jlative intensities being greatest at or about 32, and least at 52, a 

 jmperature at which -nitrous acid by itself would be very rapidly 

 Lecomposed. These results were also confirmed by experiments con- 

 lucted with a sample of acid of half the concentration of that used 

 ibove. 



Concentration of nitric acid = 0'1279 gram. 



Series VII. 

 Temperature, 22'5. 



Series VIII. 

 Temperature, 32. 



Series IX. 

 Temperature, 42. 



Series X. 

 Temperature, 52. 



D 2 



