CHANGES IN VOLUME DUE TO THE ABSORPTION OF WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE.

As the water-vapor is absorbed by the sulphuric acid, there is a slight increase in volume of the acid. This naturally results in the diminution of the apparent volume of air and likewise again affects the amount of oxygen admitted to produce constant apparent volume at the end of each experimental period. The amount of increase which thus takes place for each experimental period is very small. It has been found that an increase in weight of 25 grams of water-vapor results in an increase in volume of the acid of some 15 cubic centimeters. Formerly this correction was made, but it is now deemed unnecessary and unwise to introduce a refinement that is hardly justified in other parts of the apparatus. Similarly, there is theoretically at least an increase in volume of the potash-lime by reason of the absorption of the carbon dioxide. This was formerly taken into consideration, but the correction is no longer applied.