500 NATURE AN^D DECDMPOSlTfON OF TltZ FIXED AJKALI!*. 



Dissolv :s i\ When a globule is heated in hidrogen at a degree below 

 sas. ' ' ° '*® point of vapo.ization, it seems to dissolve in it, for the 

 globule diminishes in volume, and the gas explodes with 

 alkaline fumes aud brij^ht light, when suffered to pass intd 

 the air; but by cooling, this spontaneous detonating pro-? 

 perty is destroyed, and the basis is either wholly or princi- 

 pally deposited, 

 /rtion of wa- The action of the basis of potash on water exposed to the 

 *^' atmosphere is connected with some beautiful phenomena. 



When it is throv/n upon water, or when it is brought into 

 contact with a drop of water at common temperatures, it 

 decomposes it with great violence, an instantaneous explor 

 sron is produced with brilliant flume, and a solution of pure 

 potash is the result. 

 ^K^h\te rin" of ^^ experiments of this kind, an appearance often occurs 

 smoke. similar to that produced by the combustion of phosphu ret- 



ted hidrogen; a white ring of smoke, which gradually ex- 

 tends as it rises into the air. 



. ^. , AVhen water is made to act upon the basis of potash out 



Action of wa- i i i o i 



ter when air is of the contact or air, and preserved by means oi a glass 



excluded. tube under naphtha, the decomposition is violent ; and there 

 is much heat and noise, but no luminous appearance, and 

 the gas evolved when examined in the mercurial or water 

 pneumatic apparatus is found to be pure hidrogen, 

 j^ When a globule of the basis of potash is placed upon ice, 



it Instantly burns with a bright flame, and a deep hole is 

 made in the ice, which is found to contain a solution of 

 potash. 

 Action of -wa- The theory of the action of the basis of potash upon wa- 

 ter on it in the ter exposjed to the atmosphere, though complicated changes 

 vCined!^ ^^' cccur, is far from being obscure. The phenomena seem to 

 depend on the strong attractions of the basis for oxigen, 

 and of the potash formed for water. The heat, which arises 

 from two causes, decomposition and combination, is suf» 

 ficiently intense to produce the iniflamrnation. Water is a 

 bad conductor of heat; the globule swims exposed to air; 

 a part of it, there is the greatest reason to believe, is dis- 

 solved by the heated nascent hidrogen ; and this substance, 

 being capable of spoatancous inflammation, explodes, and 



communicates 



