The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-08-19
Emily. NOthingean be more ariking than thii ex.
ample of ehymical attraction.

Emily. Nothing can be more ariking than shisex-
ample Of ehymieal attraction.
Mrs. 3. The term attraction has been lately intro
duced into chymifry nbiti,ute for the word af
6niy TO which Tome chymi0s have objected, beeaut,
IT originated in the vague NOTION that ehymicai
bna,ions depend upon certain resemblance, re.
latonlhip, between particles that are di.pofed IL
mite; and this idea is only Imperfect, but
Gus, it is generally particles of the moi diiiiila
nature, that nave rhe create q tendency combine.
Caroline. B=6des, there feems to be no advantage
in ufing variety of terms to express the fame
ing the contrary 1t coniuion and W..
well acquainted with the s,traF ion in ma
turai phloiophy we had better adopt it in ohymlry
| likewiie.
| Mrs. B. Ifyou have clear idea OF the meaning,
hall leave You at liberty expreis it in the terms
YOU prefer. For myrelf, eonfefs that think the
word attraction belt fdted the general law that u
mites the integran particles of bodies and affinity
better adapted that which combines the coniuent
particles, may convey idea of the preference
| which fone bodies have for Others, which the term
a..rst9i,= Of sfsis- does not 70 we'll expreis
| R,nily So think for though that preference
may not reiut from any rela,ionhip or iinli,itude
between the particles Gas you fay fuppoed)
yet, as it really exits it ought to be ezprefed
| Mrs. B. Well, let it be agreed that you may uie
the termsay, e5ymsai Attraction, aud stt,atsi,r of
eompsS.isH, ndifisrenty, provided you recoea that
they have all the fame meaning.
| Emily, do not conceive how bodies can be de-
competed by cbymca attra aion. That this power
ihoud be the means Of competing them, is very obvi-
Gus but how it the fame time produce exactly
the contrary effect, appears to me very fugular.
| Mrs. B. To decompofe body, is, you know TO
feparate it's conltuent parts, which, have iuit
oblerved, Can uever be done by mechanical means
Emily. No; becauie mechanical mears feparate
en'y the integrant particles they al merely again
! the attraction OF cohelion.
Mrs. D. The decomposition of body, there fore
| can only be performed by ehYmica powers. If you
preient a body competed only of two principles
third, which has greater affinity for one of then,
than the fir have for each other i, will be de-
competed that is, principles will be fepara,ed
by Of the third body. Let us call two ni,re.
dents, of which body is competed, A. aud II. II
| we preient to it another ngreden1 c, which mas a
greater affinity for B. than that which uaire. A and
b, IL neeefarily follows that will quit combine
with c. The new Ingredient, therefore has ,fetaed
a decomposition of the original body A, IS "a, ha.
been left alone, and compound, B. c, has been
formed.
Emily. We might, think, ufe the cornparifon Of
two friends, who were very happy in each Others TO-
cety I'LL third diiunired them by the preference
which of them &c We TO the newcomer
M W.; ali I'LL g. -. L.
this takes place in chymiiiry.
Let us luppoie that we with 70 decompofe the com.
pound we have jun formed by the combination OF
the two ingredients, copper and nitric acid we
nay DO this by prefentng i, piece of iron, for
which the acid has ftronger attraction than for cop
per the acid will eonfequently quit the copper 70
combine with the iron, and tko copper will be wha,
,h" ohymiiis call precstatei that is to fay it viii
to 'ieparate ate, and reappear in its mple
form.
inorder 70 produce this efatf. ! hall dip the blade
OF this knife into the guid, and when lake il our,
lyou will obferve that infead Of being wetted ,e;,
olueilh liquid like that continued in the e!afs, il will
be covered with very thin piliele of copper
Caroline. Soft is, really bat then is i, rot the
IcorPcr n'ead Of the acid that has combined with the
iron blade?
Mrs. B. No; you are deceived br spoearancss !,
is the acid which combines with the iron and in f. DO
nc dePoiites I'll: copper the iuriaee OF the blade
Emily. Bet cannot three or more fuhAancss rom.
hns together, without AM of them being precpitat.
iedf
Mrs b. That is forne,res the cafe bn, in o,,a.
rail- the ttronger affinity denroys TIE weaker md !,
feidom happens that the attraction of feveral fnban
for each other i, 70 equally balanced as to produce
iuch complicated compounds
itisnow time to conclude our Conversation for th;s
morning But before we part, mua recommend
you to hs in yosr memory the names Of the inple bo
dies, asainit cur next interview.