EXPLOSION OR DETONATION. 



Fulminating silver is composed of oxygen and 

 cyanogen, united with its protoxide. When 

 gently heated, it is decomposed and resolved 

 into its constituents. At the same moment, oxy- 

 gen combines with the carbon of the cyanogen, 

 forming carbonic acid, leaving the nitrogen at 

 liberty to expand with explosive violence. And 

 so of fulminating gold and platina, which are 

 composed of ammonia, combined with the oxides 

 of these metals. When decomposed by heat, the 

 electric spark, or by percussion, their oxygen 

 unites with hydrogen of the ammonia to form 

 water, when the nitrogen expands as before. 



Of all the detonating compounds, chloride of 

 nitrogen affords the most simple and striking 

 example of the opposite effects exerted by caloric 

 under different circumstances. It is composed of 

 3 atoms or volumes of chlorine to 1 of nitrogen, 

 which, on uniting, condense into a heavy and oily 

 liqiiid, the specific gravity of which is 1*6. While 

 its elements are united, the elastic force of the 

 caloric in nitrogen is restrained by the greater 

 force with which it is attracted around the atoms 

 of chlorine. These two opposite forces are so 

 nearly balanced, that by adding a small amount 

 of caloric to the chloride it is decomposed, the 

 nitrogen expanding with its accustomed force, 

 when reduced to the separate state. The chlorine 

 also assumes the gaseous state, with evolution of 

 heat and light . The chloride m ay be decomposed 



K 



