I wonder, however, that it never occurred to us to enquire whether nitrogen could be acidified; for, as we knew it was classed among the combustible bodies, it was natural to suppose that it might produce an acid.
MRS. B.
That is not a necessary consequence; for it might combine with oxygen only in the degree requisite to form an oxyd. But you will find that nitrogen is susceptible of various degrees of oxygenation, some of which convert it merely into an oxyd, and others give it all the acid properties.
The acids, resulting from the combination of oxygen and nitrogen, are called the NITROUS and NITRIC acids. We will begin with the NITRIC, in which nitrogen is in the highest state of oxygenation. This acid naturally exists in the form of gas; but is so very soluble in water, and has so great an affinity for it, that one grain of water will absorb and condense ten grains of acid gas, and form the limpid fluid which you see in this bottle.
CAROLINE.
What a strong offensive smell it has!
MRS. B.
This acid contains a greater abundance of oxygen than any other, but it retains it with very little force.
EMILY.
Then it must be a powerful caustic, both from the facility with which it parts with its oxygen, and the quantity which it affords?