EXPLOSION OR DETONATION. 125 



of nitrogen 14, they form compound molecules of 

 nitric acid, the weight of which is 54, compared 

 with hydrogen 1 : from which, and the foregoing 

 facts, we are bound to infer, that the repulsive 

 force of the aether which surrounded the atoms of 

 oxygen and nitrogen, is counteracted and nearly 

 vanquished by the attraction of the larger particles 

 of the compound for caloric.* 



By referring to Table I. page 51, we perceive 

 that the atomic weight of potass is 48, compared 

 with hydrogen as unity. One atom of nitric acid 

 54, combines with 1 of potass 48, making com- 

 pound molecules of nitrate of potass, the weight 

 of which is 1 02 ; and the attraction of which for 

 caloric has so far overcome its idio-repulsive force, 

 that they are aggregated into a crystalline solid 

 of a cubical form. Let us then examine the com- 

 position of gunpowder. It consists of 1 atom of 

 nitre 102, 1 of sulphur 16, and 3 of charcoal 18, 



* It was before shown that when 2 volumes of hydrogen com- 

 bine with one of oxygen to form water, an immense quantity of 

 caloric is disengaged, and that the aeriform state is merged in 

 that of the liquid state. But as the combinations of oxygen and 

 nitrogen retain nearly the same amount of caloric as their con- 

 stituents, they also retain the gaseous form at ordinary tempera- 

 tures, though their aggregate bulk and elasticity are greatly dimi- 

 nished. This fact is very remarkable ; for the particles of nitric 

 acid are larger than those of water in the ratio of 54 to 9 ; or 6 

 to 1. It is difficult to conceive why they retain the elastic state, 

 unless they retain around them a large amount of the same 

 eethereal matter which belongs to their elementary constituents : 

 whereas oxygen and hydrogen give out a large proportion of it 

 on combining to form water. 



