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chemistry.
607
J. Berzelius (1770—1848) placed the science of chemistry on a new basis.
It was he that routed the phlogiston theories out of the field, and obtained a
firm footing for the contrary tenets in the scientific literature of his country.
Fusing these anti-phlogiston tenets with the atomic theory and the
electrochemical view-point, he created out of these component elements a homogeneous
body of chemical doctrine. He ascertained the quantitative composition of the
principal inorganic substances, and showed how that composition can always bo
expressed by definite and simple numerical ratios, thus placing Dalton’s atomic
theory on a firm basis. Linking up these results with Gay-Lussac’s law of the
combining volumes of gases and with Mitscherlich’s law of isomorphism, he
determined exactly the equivalents of the combining ratios of many elements
in an enormous number of compounds. He developed systematically Lavoisier’s
oxygen theory and the dualism which that theory involves, for which he
endeavoured to find a rational explanation in the electro-chemical hypothesis
known as Berzelius’ dualistic theory. He developed and improved chemical
nomenclature, and he was virtually the creator of the chemical notation still in
use; he introduced into chemistry the terms isomeism, polymeism, and allotropism.
He applied the law of constant porportions to minerals and organic compounds,
he elaborated a new mineralogical system based on a chemical foundation, and
formulated (partly together with Liebig) the earlier theory of radicles: one of
the first attempts to ascertain the atomic composition of organic bodies. He
moreover discovered three new elements: cerium, together with V. Hisinger
(1766—1852), and selenium and thorium. Together with ,1/. af Pontin
(1781-—1858), he succeeded in reducing the alkaline earths, and discovered
ammonium amalgam. He was the first to prepare silicon and zirconium in a
free state. His researches into amimal substances entitle him to be designated
Statue of Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Stockholm.
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