(tc)(pc)tt1s
N2-146°35-194°·4-214°0·885
CO-139°·535·5-190°-207°?
A-121°50·6-187°-189°·61·5
O2-118°·850·8-182°·7?1·124
NO- 93°·571·2-153°·6-167°?
CH4- 81°·854·9-164°-158°·80·415

where tc is the absolute (critical) boiling point, pc the pressure (critical) in atmospheres corresponding to it, t the boiling point (under a pressure of 760 mm.), t1 the melting point, and s the specific gravity in a liquid state at t.

The above shows that argon in its properties in a liquid state stands near to oxygen (as it also does in its solubility), but that all the temperatures relating to it (tc, t, and t1) are higher than for nitrogen. This fully answers, not only to the higher density of argon, but also to the hypothesis that it contains N3. And as the boiling point of argon differs from that of nitrogen and oxygen by less than 10°, and its amount is small, it is easy to understand how Dewar (1894), who tried to separate it from liquid air and nitrogen by fractional distillation, was unable to do so. The first and last portions were identical, and nitrogen from air showed no difference in its liquefaction from that obtained from its compounds, or from that which had been passed through a tube containing incandescent magnesium. Still, it is not quite clear why both kinds of nitrogen, after being passed over the magnesium in Dewar's experiments, exhibited an almost similar alteration in their properties, independent of the appearance of a small quantity of hydrogen in them.

Concluding Remarks (March 31, 1895).—The ‘Comptes rendus’ of the Paris Academy of Sciences of March 18, 1895, contains a memoir by Berthelot upon the reaction of argon with the vapour of benzene under the action of a silent discharge. In his experiments, Berthelot succeeded in treating 83 per cent. of the argon taken for the purpose, and supplied to him by Ramsay (37 c.c. in all). The composition of the product could not be determined owing to the small amount obtained, but in its outward appearance it quite resembled the product formed under similar conditions by nitrogen. This observation of the famous French chemist to some extent supports the supposition that argon is a polymerised variety of nitrogen whose molecule contains N3, while ordinary nitrogen contains N2. Should this supposition be eventually verified, the interest in argon will not only not lessen, but become greater. For this, however, we must wait for further observations and detailed experimental data from Rayleigh and Ramsay.

The latest information obtained by me from London is that Professor Ramsay, by treating cleveite (containing PbO, UO3, Y2O3, &c.) with sulphuric acid, obtained argon, and, judging by the spectrum, helium also. The accumulation of similar data may, after detailed and diversified research, considerably increase the stock of chemical knowledge which, constantly widening, cannot be exhaustively treated in these ‘Principles of Chemistry,’ although very probably furnishing fresh proof of the ‘periodicity of the elements.’


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