[55] The atomic weights, with the exception of that of Gold, are taken from the last edition of Brande's 'Manual of Chemistry.'
ON THE BINARY COMPOUNDS OF THE ELEMENTS.
Many of the elementary bodies exhibit a strong tendency to combine with each other, and to form compounds, which differ in properties from either of their constituent elements. This attraction, which is termed "Chemical Affinity," is exerted principally between bodies which are opposed to each other in their general characters. Thus, taking for example the elements Chlorine and Iodine—they are analogous in their reactions, and therefore there is but little attraction between them, whereas either of the two combines eagerly with Silver, which is an element of a different class. So, again. Sulphur unites with the metals, but two metallic elements are comparatively indifferent to each other.
Oxygen is by far the most important in the list of chemical elements. It combines with all the others, with the single exception, perhaps, of Fluorine. The attraction, or chemical affinity, however, which is exerted, varies much, in different cases. The metals, as a class, are easily oxidized; whilst many of the non-metallic elements, such as Chlorine, Iodine, Bromine, etc., exhibit but little affinity for Oxygen. Nitrogen is also a peculiarly negative element, showing little or no tendency to unite with the others.
Classification of binary compounds containing Oxygen.—When one simple element unites with another, the product is termed a "binary" compound.
There are three distinct classes of binary compounds of Oxygen:—Neutral Oxides, basic Oxides, and acid Oxides.
Neutral and basic Oxides.—Take as examples—the Oxide of Hydrogen, or Water, a neutral Oxide; the Oxide of Potassium, or Potash, a basic Oxide.
Water is termed a neutral oxide, because its affinities are low, and it is comparatively indifferent to other bodies. Potash and Oxide of Silver are examples of basic oxides; but there is a great difference between the two in chemical energy, the former belonging to a superior class of bases, viz. the alkaline.
By studying the properties of an alkali (such as Potash or Soda) which are familiar to all, we gain a correct notion of the whole class of basic oxides. An alkali is a substance readily soluble in water, and yielding a solution which has a slimy feel from its solvent action upon the skin. It immediately restores the blue colour of reddened litmus, and changes the blue infusion of cabbage to green. Lastly, it is neutralized and loses all its characteristic properties upon the addition of an acid.