Knowledge for the People: Or, the Plain why and Because. Familiarizing Subjects of Useful Curiosity and Amusing ResearchLilly & Wait, and Carter & Hendee, 1832 - 284 pages |
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Page 7
... rounded form . We have interesting instances of roundness from the same cause in minute masses , as the particles of a mist or fog floating in air , -there , mutually attracting and coalescing into larger drops , and then forming rain ...
... rounded form . We have interesting instances of roundness from the same cause in minute masses , as the particles of a mist or fog floating in air , -there , mutually attracting and coalescing into larger drops , and then forming rain ...
Page 26
... round them . Why does hay , if stacked when damp , take fire ? Because the moisture elevates the temperature suf- ficiently to produce putrefaction , and the ensuing chemical action causes sufficient heat to continue the process ; the ...
... round them . Why does hay , if stacked when damp , take fire ? Because the moisture elevates the temperature suf- ficiently to produce putrefaction , and the ensuing chemical action causes sufficient heat to continue the process ; the ...
Page 54
... round with very rapid motion , flints were ap- plied to it , and by the abundance of fiery sparks emit- ted , the miners were enabled to carry on their work in places where the flame of a lamp or candle would oc- casion dreadful ...
... round with very rapid motion , flints were ap- plied to it , and by the abundance of fiery sparks emit- ted , the miners were enabled to carry on their work in places where the flame of a lamp or candle would oc- casion dreadful ...
Page 59
... round the wick of a spirit - lamp , continue to give light and heat , though without flame ? Because of the vapour of the spirit ; the heat never becoming sufficiently intense to produce its inflamma- tion . This discovery , by Davy ...
... round the wick of a spirit - lamp , continue to give light and heat , though without flame ? Because of the vapour of the spirit ; the heat never becoming sufficiently intense to produce its inflamma- tion . This discovery , by Davy ...
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Common terms and phrases
acid gas alloy ammonia animal arch argand burner Argand lamp ARTS AND MANUFACTURES atmosphere becomes bodies boiling Bromine burning called candle carbonic acid carriage centre charcoal chemical chemistry chlorine coal coal gas coin colour combined combustion common condensed conductors contain copper crystals cubic cylinder diamond dissolved earth effect electricity employed equal evaporation exposed feet fire flame fluid force friction furnace glass gold heat Hence horse hydrocyanic acid hydrogen hydrogen gas inch increased inflammable iron lamp lead less lever light lime liquid machine matter mechanical melted mercury metal miles mixture motion muriatic acid nature nearly nitric acid oxide oxygen particles pass pendulum phosphorus pieces plate platinum pounds pressure produced proportion pure quantity resistance salt silver Sir Humphry Sir Humphry Davy solid steam steam-engine steel stone substances sulphuric acid surface temperature tion tons vapour velocity vessel weight wheel wool yards
Popular passages
Page 140 - shall thy arm, unconquer'd steam, afar Drag the slow barge or drive the rapid car; Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear ; The flying chariot through the fields of air...
Page 10 - Apothecaries' profit is become a bye-word, denoting something uncommonly extravagant. This great apparent profit, however, is frequently no more than the reasonable wages of labour. The skill of an apothecary is a much nicer and more delicate matter than that of any artificer whatever; and the trust which is reposed in him is of much greater importance. He is the physician of the poor in all cases, and of the rich when the distress or danger is not very great.
Page 3 - ... of the caprice of human appetite : yet, if the fisherman will ply his nets, or the mariner fetch rice from foreign countries, in order to procure to himself this indulgence, the market is supplied with two important articles of provision, by the instrumentality of a merchandise which has no other apparent use than the gratification of a vitiated palate.
Page 21 - The new process of Refining sugar, by which more money has been made in a shorter time, and with less risk and trouble, than was ever perhaps gained from an invention, was discovered by a most accomplished chemist,* and was the fruit of a long course of experiments, in the progress of which, known philosophical principles were constantly applied, and one or two new principles ascertained.
Page 117 - Having previously closed my nostrils and exhausted my lungs, I breathed four quarts of nitrous oxide from and into a silk bag. The first feelings were similar to those produced in the last experiment ; but in less than half a minute, the respiration being continued, they diminished gradually, and were succeeded by a sensation analogous to gentle pressure on all the muscles, attended by a highly pleasurable thrilling, particularly in the chest and the extremities.
Page 63 - In the year 1589 the ingenious William Lee, Master of Arts, of St. John's College, Cambridge, devised this profitable art for stockings (but being despised went to France) ; yet of iron to himself, but to us and others of gold, in memory of whom this is here painted.
Page 3 - It appears also, that it signifies nothing, as to the main purpose of trade, how superfluous the articles which it furnishes are ; whether the want of them be real or imaginary ; whether it be founded in nature or in opinion, in fashion, habit, or emulation : it is enough that they be actually desired and sought after.
Page 17 - ... ultimately gave the preference to a mixture of four ounces of nitrate of ammonia, four ounces of sub-carbonate of soda, and four ounces of water. This mixture, in three hours, produced ten ounces of ice ; whilst, with the mixture of sulphate of soda and muriatic acid, he obtained ice only after seven hours.
Page 20 - at first used by the members of the Royal Society for astronomical experiments, but was abandoned on account of its vibrations being too great for the nicety required in their observations. This occasioned a report that it was unsafe ; but its scientific construction may bid defiance to the attacks of all but earthquakes for centuries.
Page 49 - Buchanan that the same quantity of human labour employed in working a pump, turning a winch, ringing a bell, and rowing a boat, are as the numbers 100, 167, 227, and 248. The most advantageous manner of applying human strength is in the act of rowing.