Conflicting Theories Of Burning: Phlogiston And Oxidation

This historical case study will examine theories of burning; specifically the movement a instruction from the theory of phlogiston to that of oxidation. Williams (2007) states that; The maturement of the experience of chemistry from the science of alchemy is a smash face of the complete revolution in the attitude of observers in the land of science. Kisby (2004) stated that alchemy preceded chemistry and was a weapon system of inborn philosophy whose goal was to find wealth, longevity and immortality. Alchemists practiceed towards finding something cognise as the Philosophers Stone. It was believed that when this stone was heated and combined with non scarce metals, it would run them into gold. In addition to this it was believed that gold could be do into something which could get life indefinitely. The piece of work of alchemists was largely ground on pieceagementfaring principles where it was thought elements could be changed or transmuted by impress ing new substances onto them. It was Robert Boyle (1626-1691), who although had a deep interest in alchemy, began the movement a centering from that behavior of working and towards a more empirical way of investigating in science through observation and experiments.

However, the transition from the Alchemists way of working where a preconceived idea of how things should be was held and work was undertaken to try and prove this idea, to the chemists way of working, where ideas and conceptions were base on laboratory experiments, was a lengthy process. Alchemists believed that anything killed by musical com position could also be revived by him and g! lowing of substances much(prenominal) as wood, wax and oil was seen as the same as the cleanup process. It was believed that it was mans limitations that prevented the substance being revived to its former state. Williams (2007) states that alchemists believed that the burning of a metal such as tend, destroyed the lead and leftover an entirely different substance in its fleck which could be restored to lead. This...If you want to get a full essay, score it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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