what is now known as redox-reactions using a single theory. By the end of the
century, Lavoisier’s
6 theory of combustion (i.e. the absorption of oxygen by a
burning body) had largely replaced the phlogiston theory.
7 In some sense phlogiston would be revived in the twentieth century: in the reduction of copper(II)
sulphate to metallic copper by zinc in aqueous solution, phlogistonists like Bergman and Scheele believed that zinc gave off phlogiston to the copper calx which
was present in the solution united with sulphuric acid, forming copper and zinc
sulphate. In this process, phlogiston is nothing but valence electrons. This reaction
was not easily explained by Lavoisier and his supporters but was studied in detail
by Bergman.
References
1. Trofast J (1994) Johan Gottlieb Gahn: brev, vol 2, Lund, p 49
2. Lindroth S (1975–1977) Samuel Klingenstierna, Svenskt biografiskt lexikon, vol 21,
Stockholm, p 319
3. Landen L (2004) Gustaf III—en biografi. Stockholm, Wahlström & Widstrand, p 31
4. Landen L (2004) Gustaf III—en biografi. Stockholm, Wahlström & Widstrand, p 32
5. Stahl GE (1703) Speciminis Becheriani Principia Mixtionis Subterraneae demonstrandi. Pars
prima. In: Becher J (1703) Physica Subterranea… editio novisima…& Specimen Becceranum,
Joh. Ludov. Gleditschium, Leipzig, p 39
6
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794), French chemist. See Chap. 30.8.
7
A few chemist, including Joseph Priestley and Henry Cavendish, refused to abandon the
phlogiston theory.
1.3 The Phlogiston TheoryReferences
9
century, Lavoisier’s
6 theory of combustion (i.e. the absorption of oxygen by a
burning body) had largely replaced the phlogiston theory.
7 In some sense phlogiston would be revived in the twentieth century: in the reduction of copper(II)
sulphate to metallic copper by zinc in aqueous solution, phlogistonists like Bergman and Scheele believed that zinc gave off phlogiston to the copper calx which
was present in the solution united with sulphuric acid, forming copper and zinc
sulphate. In this process, phlogiston is nothing but valence electrons. This reaction
was not easily explained by Lavoisier and his supporters but was studied in detail
by Bergman.
References
1. Trofast J (1994) Johan Gottlieb Gahn: brev, vol 2, Lund, p 49
2. Lindroth S (1975–1977) Samuel Klingenstierna, Svenskt biografiskt lexikon, vol 21,
Stockholm, p 319
3. Landen L (2004) Gustaf III—en biografi. Stockholm, Wahlström & Widstrand, p 31
4. Landen L (2004) Gustaf III—en biografi. Stockholm, Wahlström & Widstrand, p 32
5. Stahl GE (1703) Speciminis Becheriani Principia Mixtionis Subterraneae demonstrandi. Pars
prima. In: Becher J (1703) Physica Subterranea… editio novisima…& Specimen Becceranum,
Joh. Ludov. Gleditschium, Leipzig, p 39
6
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794), French chemist. See Chap. 30.8.
7
A few chemist, including Joseph Priestley and Henry Cavendish, refused to abandon the
phlogiston theory.
1.3 The Phlogiston TheoryReferences
9