1. On the elastic force of vapours, with new formula to determine it at any temperature; and a review of those given by Dalton and Biot. The phenomena attending the conversion of liquids into elastic fluids, were first accurately investigated by Dr. Black. He observed in the rising of vapour, and melting of ice, a beautiful system of relations, connecting and modifying the grandest operations of nature, while they were destined to afford new principles for the advancement of the arts. If it be the prerogative and characteristic of genius, to discover in the most familiar, or, as some would say, vulgar phenomena, that mystic chain of causation, which had eluded all other eyes, unquestionably, the doctrines of latent heat entitle their author to rank in the first class of philosophers. Dr. Black directed his attention principally to the establishment of the general laws, which he placed on an immoveable basis; leaving to his pupils, the subordinate task of investigating their individual applications. Hence, the elastic forces of the vapours, arising from different bodies, at different temperatures, seem to have occupied him very little, if at all. This subject was examined, however, with great ability, by two of his most distinguished friends, Professor Robison and Mr. Watt. The investigations of the former were published in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, article
steam
; while we have still to regret our ignorance of those executed by the latter philosopher, with probably a more complete apparatus, and more extensive views. We are indebted to him, indeed, for some curious observation on the latent heat of steam, at different temperatures, which make us lament more, the want of those on the elastic forces themselves.
New insight into α clustering of heavy nuclei via their α decay
