The simplicity as a criterion of the scientific thinking is known in the theory about
science as the Ockham razor (William of Ockham, cca. 1287–1347). Willian of
Ockham, the English Franchescan, scholastic and theologian, has revitalized the old
idea already known between Pythagoreans, that among various explanations, the
most acceptable is the simplest. Evidently, the step to simplification is the step in
new epistemic world. However, Ockham razor as a methodological approach in the
evaluation of science should be applied with care. This will be discussed in my last
lectures.
Systematic experiments with water have continued and Lavoisier has performed
many of them in collaboration with Laplace (Pierre-Simon markiz d’Laplace,
1749–1827). On the Day of St. Martin 1783, Lavoisier has, in the French Academy
of Science, presented his discovery about water as a chemical compound that
consists from gasses hydrogen (“the water-maker”), and oxygen (“the acid-maker”).
In French language, the term principe oxygene means the “acidifying principle”.
The experiment, which Lavoisier has performed for arguing that water can be
decomposed in hydrogen and oxygen, is far-reaching. The basic design of the
experiment is the reaction of the hot water vapour with the red-hot chunks of iron.
Oxygen from water binds to iron, and hydrogen is releasing. The appearance of
hydrogen is proven by demonstrating its combustion at the exit nozzle of the
apparatus. The importance of this experiment is not only in the fact that water is
composed from oxygen and hydrogen, but also in the new approach in chemistry.
The substance, in this case water, can by a rational way be composed from elements hydrogen and oxygen, as Pristley has demonstrated, and decomposed in
elements by the rational experimental procedure, as Lavoisier has shown. Moreover, in Lavoisier’s experiment is evident also another point: hydrogen that was
bound to oxygen in water is substituted with iron—the concept of the reaction
mechanism that will appear only in the 20th century chemistry is here announced.
In this particular case, it is the reaction of substitution.
What is remaining, is the definition of the flammable air. Hydrogen and oxygen
are chemical elements, but water is not. Lavoisier clearly shows that other combustion reactions are nothing else but the binding with oxygen. Burning of metals
yields calx (oxides), or, phosphorus or sulphur combine with oxygen producing
compounds, which in reaction with water led to acids. Thus, the dephlogistonizing
air is the chemical element that yield acids—oxygene (ὀnύ1 oxys, acidic). The term
“phlogiston” became needless, it has been removed by Ockham razor!
Oxygen is element, one of components of air. Water is chemical compound.
What about the three thousand old idea about four Empedoclean elements? But,
what are elements for Lavoisier?
The old-standing notions as earth, water and air have in Lavoisier’s chemistry
more universal meaning: they are the aggregate states: solid, liquid, and gaseous.
Chemical element requires a new definition similar to that proposed by Robert
Boyle. Newly defined chemical element as a substance that cannot be decomposed
to simpler substances becomes the epistemological base of new scientific paradigm.
By looking broader, this concept has initiated the journey towards the discovery of
the structure of matter. In 1789 Lavoisier has published the list and classification of
66
8 Scientific Revolution in Chemistry
science as the Ockham razor (William of Ockham, cca. 1287–1347). Willian of
Ockham, the English Franchescan, scholastic and theologian, has revitalized the old
idea already known between Pythagoreans, that among various explanations, the
most acceptable is the simplest. Evidently, the step to simplification is the step in
new epistemic world. However, Ockham razor as a methodological approach in the
evaluation of science should be applied with care. This will be discussed in my last
lectures.
Systematic experiments with water have continued and Lavoisier has performed
many of them in collaboration with Laplace (Pierre-Simon markiz d’Laplace,
1749–1827). On the Day of St. Martin 1783, Lavoisier has, in the French Academy
of Science, presented his discovery about water as a chemical compound that
consists from gasses hydrogen (“the water-maker”), and oxygen (“the acid-maker”).
In French language, the term principe oxygene means the “acidifying principle”.
The experiment, which Lavoisier has performed for arguing that water can be
decomposed in hydrogen and oxygen, is far-reaching. The basic design of the
experiment is the reaction of the hot water vapour with the red-hot chunks of iron.
Oxygen from water binds to iron, and hydrogen is releasing. The appearance of
hydrogen is proven by demonstrating its combustion at the exit nozzle of the
apparatus. The importance of this experiment is not only in the fact that water is
composed from oxygen and hydrogen, but also in the new approach in chemistry.
The substance, in this case water, can by a rational way be composed from elements hydrogen and oxygen, as Pristley has demonstrated, and decomposed in
elements by the rational experimental procedure, as Lavoisier has shown. Moreover, in Lavoisier’s experiment is evident also another point: hydrogen that was
bound to oxygen in water is substituted with iron—the concept of the reaction
mechanism that will appear only in the 20th century chemistry is here announced.
In this particular case, it is the reaction of substitution.
What is remaining, is the definition of the flammable air. Hydrogen and oxygen
are chemical elements, but water is not. Lavoisier clearly shows that other combustion reactions are nothing else but the binding with oxygen. Burning of metals
yields calx (oxides), or, phosphorus or sulphur combine with oxygen producing
compounds, which in reaction with water led to acids. Thus, the dephlogistonizing
air is the chemical element that yield acids—oxygene (ὀnύ1 oxys, acidic). The term
“phlogiston” became needless, it has been removed by Ockham razor!
Oxygen is element, one of components of air. Water is chemical compound.
What about the three thousand old idea about four Empedoclean elements? But,
what are elements for Lavoisier?
The old-standing notions as earth, water and air have in Lavoisier’s chemistry
more universal meaning: they are the aggregate states: solid, liquid, and gaseous.
Chemical element requires a new definition similar to that proposed by Robert
Boyle. Newly defined chemical element as a substance that cannot be decomposed
to simpler substances becomes the epistemological base of new scientific paradigm.
By looking broader, this concept has initiated the journey towards the discovery of
the structure of matter. In 1789 Lavoisier has published the list and classification of
66
8 Scientific Revolution in Chemistry