The Study of Chemical Composition
An Account of its Method and Historical Development with Illustrative Quotations

Originally published in 1904, this book presents an account by Ida Freund of the study of chemical composition.

Ida Freund (Author)

9781107690301, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 May 2014

668 pages
21.6 x 14 x 4.3 cm, 0.91 kg

Ida Freund (1863–1914) was a chemist and educationalist most commonly remembered as the first female chemistry lecturer in Britain. Originally published in 1904, this book presents an account by Freund of the study of chemical composition. The text shows how empirical knowledge comprising the doctrine of chemical composition was developed, with information on methodology and historical development. Illustrative figures, quotations and detailed footnotes are incorporated throughout. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in chemistry and the history of science.

Introduction. The method of the inductive sciences. Observation, generalisation and law. Hypothesis and theory
1. Theories of combustion
2. Lavoisier and the law of conservation of mass
3. Exact and approximate laws
4. Bethollet and the law of mass action
5. Proust and the law of fixed ratios
6. Dalton and the law of multiple ratios
7. Richter and the law of equivalent ratios
8. Combining or equivalent weights. Symbol weights
Appendix A. A selection of combining weight values
9. The ultimate constitution of matter. Hypotheses prior to 1800
10. Dalton and the atomic hypothesis
11. Gay–Lussac and the law of the combining volumes of gases
12. Avogardo and the molecular hypothesis
13. Cannizzaro and the application of Avogardo's hypothesis to the determination of molecular and atomic weights
14. Petit and Dulong and the law of atomic heat
15. Mitscherlich and the connection between chrystalline form and chemical composition
16. Mendeleef and the periodic law
17. Kekulé and the doctrine of valency
18. Berzelius and isomerism
19. The ultimate constitution of matter and the genesis of the elements
Index.

Subject Areas: Chemistry [PN]