Wells's principles and applications of chemistry; . andproduces also a certain quantity of carbonic acid. The removal of oxygen from the air may also be effected more slowly invarious ways. A stick of phosphorus introduced into a jar of air standingover water, will slowly absorb the oxygen, and in two or three days aboutfour fifths of the original bulk of the air, consisting of nitrogen nearly pure,will be left. Moistened iron fihngs produce a simUar result, the metal gra-dually becoming oxydized, as is seen by the rusty appearance which it as-sumes. Nitrogen may also be obtained by conducting
Wells's principles and applications of chemistry; . andproduces also a certain quantity of carbonic acid. The removal of oxygen from the air may also be effected more slowly invarious ways. A stick of phosphorus introduced into a jar of air standingover water, will slowly absorb the oxygen, and in two or three days aboutfour fifths of the original bulk of the air, consisting of nitrogen nearly pure,will be left. Moistened iron fihngs produce a simUar result, the metal gra-dually becoming oxydized, as is seen by the rusty appearance which it as-sumes. Nitrogen may also be obtained by conducting chlorine gas into a solutionof ammonia;* by exposing muscle (flesh) to the action of nitric acid in a re-tort to which heat is apphed; and in a state of great purity by passing a cur-rent of air through a tube containing copper turnings heated to redness; theoxygen in this experiment being entirely absorbed by the copper to formoxyd of copper, while the nitrogen passes off. 327. Properties.—Nitrogen is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas,. * This experiment is a some-what dangerous one. (See chloride of nitrogen.) Questions.—Is it know^n in what manner plants obtain their nitrogen ? How is nitro-gen obtained ? Enumerate some of the methods employed ? What are the physical prop-erties of nitrogen? NITROGEN. 221 which as yet has resisted every efifort to liquefy it. It is somewhat lighterthan atmospheric air, having a specific gravity of OSTl (air = 1-00). One of the most distinguishing characteristics of nitrogen is its inertness, orsluggishness; it being, so far as chemical properties are concerned, in strik-ing contrast with oxygen, which is one of the most energetic of the is neither acid or alkahne, and neither supports combustion, or burns. Aburning taper is instantly extinguished in this gas, and an animal immersedin it quickly perishes; not because the gas is injurious, but for want of oxy-gen, which is required for both respiration and combustion. I
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