1897-98.] 
Prof. Tait on Compressibility. 
359 
Note on the Compressibility of Solutions of Sugar. By 
Prof. Tait. 
(Read July 18, 1898.) 
In continuation of former investigations of the alteration of 
compressibility of water, which is produced by dissolving various 
salts in it, I was led to imagine that some instructive results might 
he furnished by solutions such as those of sugar, whose hulk is 
nearly the sum of the hulks of their constituents : — for, in them, 
we might expect little change in compressibility from that of water 
itself; i.e. in accordance v with my hypothetical formula, little 
change in the term regarded as representing the molecular pres- 
sure. 
The following preliminary results have recently been obtained 
for me by Mr Shand, Mchol Poundationer, who employed the 
Eraser gun and the Amagat gauge procured for my “Challenger ” 
work: — and a new set of piezometers of the same (Ford’s) glass as 
that whose compressibility I had determined to he 0*0000026. 
These have been carefully gauged, hut have not as yet been directly 
compared with those formerly employed. 
The solutions experimented on were prepared, in Dr Crum 
Brown’s Laboratory, by Mr W. W. Taylor, M.A., B.Sc., and con- 
tained respectively 5, 10, 15, 20 parts, by weight, of sugar to 100 
of water. The temperature varied hut slightly from 1 2°*4 C. during 
the whole course of the experiments. 
Average Compressibility per Atmosphere, at 12° ‘4 C. 
Sugar per 100 water 
0 
5 
10 
15 
20 
For first ton, 
0*00004650 
4430 
4265 
4109 
3965 
,, two tons, 
4520 
4316 
4160 
4013 
3875 
,, three tons, 
4410 
4210 
4065 
3920 
3789 
The numbers in the first column were taken direct from the 
Plate in my second Challenger Report, 0*0000026 being (of course) 
added to each. 
