I desire
now to explain a second method by which the molecules are separated
and static caloric is changed to dynamic caloric.
It is not definitely known how much static caloric is occluded in
either of the elementary bodies, but it is believed that hydrogen
possesses the greatest amount and oxygen the least. Now if we take a
molecule of hydrogen containing two atoms, and under proper conditions
interpose these atoms between 16 atoms of oxygen (one molecule), the
phenomenon of combustion is exhibited, and a molecule of water is
formed containing 18 atoms; and if one pound of hydrogen is thus
consumed, the atoms of hydrogen are separated from each other to such
a distance by the interposing atoms of oxygen as to unlock 34,662
units C. of static, and convert it into dynamic caloric. And if we
thus bring a molecule of carbon containing 12 atoms in contact with a
molecule of oxygen of 16 atoms, combustion ensues and a molecule of
carbonic oxide of 28 atoms is formed, and if we then present another
molecule of oxygen, combustion again takes place, and a molecule of
carbonic acid, containing 44 atoms, is produced. Now, in the
combustion of one pound of carbon in this manner, when the carbon is
converted into carbonic oxide (CO), 2,473 units C. of static is
converted into dynamic caloric; and when this CO is converted into
carbonic acid (CO_{2}) 5,607 additional units C.
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