| 243y | |
| x = | —— |
| 576 |
819y = 86400
y = 105 x = 45
And
140 - 105 = 35
Consequently, the nitrogene in ammoniac is to the hydrogene as 35: 105 in volume: and 13,3 grains of ammoniac are composed of 10,6 nitrogene, (supposing that 100 cubic inches weigh 30,45 grains) and 2,7 hydrogene.
According to Berthollet, the weight of the nitrogene in ammoniac is to that of the hydrogene as 121 to 29.[62] The difference between this estimation and mine is so small as to be almost unworthy of notice, and arises most probably from the slight difference between the accounts of Lavoisier and Monge, of the composition of water, and the different weights assigned to the gases employed.
We may then conclude, that 100 grains of ammoniac are composed of about 80 nitrogene, and 20 hydrogene.
The decomposition of ammoniac by heat, as well as by the electric spark, was first discovered by Priestley. In an experiment[63] when aëriform ammoniac was sent through a heated tube from a caustic solution of ammoniac in water, this great discoverer observed that an inflammable gas was produced, though in no great quantity, and that a fluid blackened by matter, probably carbonaceous, likewise came over.
In my experiments the whole of the ammoniac appeared to be decomposed; the quantity of gas generated was immense, and not clouded, as is usually the case with gases generated at high temperatures. It is possible, that the larger quantity of water carried over in his experiment, by its strong attraction for ammoniac in the aëriform state, might have, in some measure, retarded the decomposition. It is however, more probable to suppose, that a fissure existed in the earthen tube he employed, through which a certain quantity of gas escaped, and coaly matter entered.