Reform of Chemical and Physical Calculations

Abstract

THE book deals specially with calculations of specific and latent heat, and heat of combustion of various substances. In the preface the author states that all his deductions are based upon the natural laws of atomic combination, heating, expansion and compression of aeriform substances, upon a few of the best substantiated experiments, and upon the fact, discovered by the author, that, near the 41° of latitude, the specific gravity of oxygen gas of atmospheric density, at the temperature of freezing water, is exactly 1/700 of the gravity of distilled water, at its temperature of greatest density. He advocates this as an international circle of latitude for all gravitational calculations. The author says that “from this fact as a starting point, all fundamental values have been determined, and expressed with absolute exactness in units and vulgar fractions instead of approximately by rows of decimals,”and he claims that his arithmetical method gives an “absolute accuracy of results, and a facility of manipulation not attainable by any other known method.”

Reform of Chemical and Physical Calculations.

By C. J. T. Hanssen Pp. xvi + 72. (London: E. and F. N. Spon, Ltd., 1897.)