would follow. [A lighted match was brought to the mixture, which immediately exploded with a sudden flash, evolving a dense white smoke.] There you see the result of the action of chemical affinity, overcoming the attraction of cohesion of the particles. Again, here is a little sugar[1], quite a different substance from the black sulphuret of antimony, and you shall see what takes place when we put the two together. [The mixture was touched with sulphuric acid, when it took fire and burnt gradually and with a brighter flame than in the former instance.] Observe this chemical affinity travelling about the mass, and setting it on fire, and throwing it into such wonderful agitation!
I must now come to a few circumstances which require careful consideration. We have already examined one of the effects of this chemical affinity—but to make the matter more clear we must point out some others. And here are two salts dissolved in water.[2] They are both colourless solutions, and in these glasses you cannot see any difference between them. But if I mix them, I shall have chemical attraction take place. I will pour the two together into this glass, and you will at once
- ↑ Page 92. The mixture of chlorate of potash and sugar does not require the same precautions. They may be rubbed together in a pestle and mortar without fear. One part of chlorate of potash and three parts of sugar will answer. The mixture need only be touched with a glass rod dipped in oil of vitriol.
- ↑ Page 92. Two salts dissolved in water. Sulphate of soda and chloride of calcium. The solutions must be saturated for the experiment to succeed well.
