THE STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM OF NITROGEN. III.

By HAWKSWORTH COLLINS, B.A. (Camb.). In the Chemical News, 1927, cxxxiv., 209, the publication of this investigation was commenced and in the same, 1927, cxxxiv., 273, one of the seven distinct forms of nitrogen was fully demonstrated. The present paper is concerned solely with another of the seven forms, whose relative volume is 16.02 at 15° C., when it takes part in the formation of a solid or liquid compound. Its heat of formation in the solid, liquid and aqueous states is 54014. Its M.R. is 0.437 and O.R. 3.8. When a solid or liquid substance containing it is raised to the gaseous state and put through the process of combustion, its heat of combustion is zero, and therefore its H.F. is also zero. This fact denotes that the atom of N passes from its position in the gaseous compound

into its elementary state without any alteration of volume; but it does not follow that its volume in the gaseous state is 16.02.

When this investigation with regard to N is completed, it will be necessary to demonstrate the relative volumes, H.C., H.F., M.R., O.R., etc., of the atoms of C and H in simple chain, iso-, secondary, tertiary, allyl and benzene compounds. At present these particular matters can only be partially demonstrated. Meanwhile it is necessary to remember that whenever the facts with regard to one series of constants correspond (as given in the last column of the Tables) with another series of constants, there is no possibility of error; i.e., the matter is proved to be true. In addition to this the constants are frequently in accordance with the laws of relative volume, of heat of formation, or of magnetic rotation.