NOT A HWK QUESTION Molecular Theory PLEASE.

[ethan5]

NOT A HWK QUESTION! Molecular Theory PLEASE.

Hi, Does anyone know the veracity of the quotation of experiments by Francis Bacon, in some books published around the turn of 20C., stating that he filled metal spheres with water and, upon applying sufficient pressure, saw water droplets on the outside of the spheres indicating that the water molecules came through between the metal particles - so there are spaces between the metal atoms. It's interesting to read book like 'Heat considered as a mode of motion' as recommended by Clerk Maxwell or Millikan. Thanks for your time.

 

[alxm]

That's not what Bacon wrote. Quoting the Novum Organum:

Now it is certain that the rarer bodies (such as air) allow a considerable degree of contraction, as has been stated, but that tangible bodies (such as water) suffer compression with much greater difficulty and to a lesser extent. How far they do suffer it I have investigated in the following experiment. I had a hollow globe of lead made, capable of holding about two pints, and sufficiently thick to bear considerable force. Having made a hole in it, I filled it with water and then stopped up the hole with melted lead, so that the globe became quite solid. I then flattened two opposite sides of the globe with a heavy hammer, by which the water was necessarily contracted into less space, a sphere being the figure of largest capacity. And when the hammering had no more effect in making the water shrink, I made use of a mill or press, till the water, impatient of further pressure, exuded through the solid lead like a fine dew. I then computed the space lost by the compression and concluded that this was the extent of compression which the water had suffered, but only when constrained by great violence.

He didn't see the water diffuse through the metal, he saw the water spray out of a fissure. Water doesn't diffuse through metal. (Nor did he know anything about atoms, which came centuries later)

What he did do, was an excellent demonstration of the compressibility of water, which is what he intended to study.

 

[Mentallic]

If water could diffuse through metals, it would be a sad, sad story for submarines.

 

[ethan5]

That's not what Bacon wrote. Quoting the Novum Organum:


He didn't see the water diffuse through the metal, he saw the water spray out of a fissure. Water doesn't diffuse through metal. (Nor did he know anything about atoms, which came centuries later)

What he did do, was an excellent demonstration of the compressibility of water, which is what he intended to study.

Thank you for your excellent reply. I've got to be careful!

 

[sophiecentaur]

If water could diffuse through metals, it would be a sad, sad story for submarines.

No Gortex Submarines in the future then? LOL

 

[Mentallic]

No Gortex Submarines in the future then? LOL

I guess we could even use glass then, for the viewing pleasure