PRINCIPLES OF COMBUSTION. 



139 



binations of which the elements of atmospheric air are suscepti- 

 ble, and the extraordinary changes of character and properties 

 which accompany the changes, in the relative quantities alone, 

 of the combining elements. 



FQT instance, oxygen unites chemically with nitrogen in five 

 different proportions, forming five distinct bodies, each essentially 

 different from the others, thus : 



Atoms. Weight. Atoms. Weight. Gross Weight. 



1 of Nitrogen 14 unites with 1 of Oxygen 8 forming Nitrous Oxide . . 22 

 " 2 " 16 " Nitric Oxide . . 30 

 " 3 " 24 " Hyponitrous Acid 38 

 " 4 32 Nitrous Acid . .46 

 " 5 40 " Nitric Acid. .54 



14 

 14 

 14 

 14 



Or thus : 



...Atmospheric Air. 



Nitrous Oxide. 



.Nitric Oxide. 



Hyponitrous Acid. 



Nitrous Acid. 



Nitric Acid. 



