In eighteenth century science, the mechanical philosophy remained dominant with emphasis on understanding the composition, combustion, and fluids of matter. This led to an increase in identification and classification in both the physical and life sciences as scientists studied the properties of gases, acids, and bases. Thus, the eighteenth century was a time where the study of composition of matter, theories of heat, and electrical behavior of matter directed the physical science with classification beginning to occupy naturalists. All of these elements in science at the time impacted the mechanics of society. In the 18th century a major change from the previous century was the use of fluids such as phlogiston and caloric to account for
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However, his worked did not allow him to recognize that the gases he collected such as oxygen and carbon dioxide were distinct substances. Joseph Black (1728-1799) was the first of the 18th century scientists studying gases to identify carbon dioxide as an independent substance in 1754, and began quantitative calculations on the production of carbon dioxide and neutralization reactions with acids. Through Black’s studies, carbon dioxide was revealed to not support combustion and in fact caused a candle’s flame to extinguish when placed over it. His calculations and experimentation showed that carbon dioxide was a component of the atmosphere by converting calcium oxide to calcium carbonate on exposure to the air. Through experimentation with reactions between acids (sulfuric) and metals (zinc) by Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) hydrogen became the second gas to be discovered and classified in 1766. He heavily supported the phlogiston theory of combustion but executed a quantitative methodology in his experiments. Cavendish assumed that hydrogen served as the phlogiston in the combustion theory because it burned easily and its density maintained a low value. In 1783, his continued experimentation with the new gas allowed him to produce water by burning hydrogen in the air, eliminating the
However, his worked did not allow him to recognize that the gases he collected such as oxygen and carbon dioxide were distinct substances. Joseph Black (1728-1799) was the first of the 18th century scientists studying gases to identify carbon dioxide as an independent substance in 1754, and began quantitative calculations on the production of carbon dioxide and neutralization reactions with acids. Through Black’s studies, carbon dioxide was revealed to not support combustion and in fact caused a candle’s flame to extinguish when placed over it. His calculations and experimentation showed that carbon dioxide was a component of the atmosphere by converting calcium oxide to calcium carbonate on exposure to the air. Through experimentation with reactions between acids (sulfuric) and metals (zinc) by Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) hydrogen became the second gas to be discovered and classified in 1766. He heavily supported the phlogiston theory of combustion but executed a quantitative methodology in his experiments. Cavendish assumed that hydrogen served as the phlogiston in the combustion theory because it burned easily and its density maintained a low value. In 1783, his continued experimentation with the new gas allowed him to produce water by burning hydrogen in the air, eliminating the