SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1239, 28 August 1875, Page 3

SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.

SULPHUK AND gULPHUftZC ACID.

Sulphur will combine with, a metal a3 well as with oxygen. I will show you that this is the case by combining some sulphur and copper together. Sulphur is an elementary substance, and copper is an elementary substance, and when they combine a compound substance is produced called sulphide of copper. Sulphur occurs in nature not only in the free state in which you have seen it here, but also combined with metals. For instance, the substances from which we get the metals are almost all chemical compounds of the metal with sulphur. Where do we get the copper from which our pennies are made, and which we see in a great many of the articles of daily use ? It is found in the earth ; but it is not found in the metallic state in which we use it, but combined together. [Experiment.] You see how hot the copper gets. It is now in a red glow ; thus you see the chemical combination of the copper and the sulphur. The metal lead, of which bullets are made, is not found as such in the earth ; it is found united with sulphur, and we must get rid of the sulphur which is combined with the lead before we have the metal fit to use in covering house?, and the many other purposes for which lead is used.

Perhaps the most interesting, and certainly the most important, substance which we have to do with about sulphur, is the substance called nalphwic acid. Another name for this substance, which you will probably be all more or less acquainted with, is oil of vitriol. This oil of vitriol is got from sulphur.— Professor Roscotfs Lecturer to Working Men.