Abstract
IT is but four years since this Section devoted a day to the discussion of the nature of solution;2 since then, however, the general aspect of the question and the position of the advocates of the two rival theories have undergone such a complete change, that in renewing the discussion we shall run but little risk of going over the same ground which we then trod. At Birmingham, Dr. Tilden opened the discussion by passing in review all the well-known and long-known facts which might by any possibility throw some light on the nature of solution, and those who followed him in the discussion each gave the interpretation of these facts which harmonized best with his own views, and, as the facts themselves were susceptible of several different interpretations, the not surprising result followed that each disputant departed holding precisely the same opinions which he had brought with him. Since then, however, each party has obtained, or thinks that he has obtained, positive evidence in favour of his own views; evidence which, if upheld, must be accepted as conclusive, or which must be overthrown before his opponents can claim the victory. The supporters of the hydrate theory claim that the curved figures representing the properties of solutions of various strengths show sudden changes of curvature at certain points, which are the same whatever be the property examined, which correspond to the composition of definite hydrates, and which, therefore, can only be explained by the presence of these hydrates in the solutions; while the supporters of the physical theory, now identified with the supporters of the osmotic pressure theory, claim to have shown that, with weak solutions at any rate, the dissolved substance obeys all the laws which are applicable to gases, and that, therefore, its molecules must be uninfluenced by, and uncombined with, those of the solvent.
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References
B. A. Report, 1886, p. 444.
Zeit. f. Phys. Chem., i. p. 275; Chem. Soc. Trans., 1887, p. 778.
Chem. Soc. Trans., 1888, p. 116.
Ibid., 1890, p. 107.
Ibid., p. 343.
Other instances of high molecular weights are mentioned by Brown and Morris (Chem. Soc. Trans., 1888), and Gladstone and Hibbert (Phil. Mag., 1889, vol. ii. p. 38).
Proc. Chem. Soc., 1889, p. 149.
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PICKERING, S. The Present Position of the Hydrate Theory of Solution1. Nature 42, 626–631 (1890). https://doi.org/10.1038/042626a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/042626a0