From the phænomena before mentioned,[177] relating to the combustion
of sulphur in nitrous oxide, it was evident that this gas was only
decomposable by it, at a much higher temperature than common air.
[177] Res. I. Div. III. S. II.
I introduced into sulphur in contact with nitrous oxide, over mercury
heated to 112°-114°, a wire intensely ignited. It lost much of its heat
in passing through the mercury, but still appeared red in the vessel.
The sulphur rapidly fused, and sublimed without being at all luminous.
This experiment was repeated five or six times, but in no instance
could the combustion of sulphur, by means of the ignited wire, be
effected.
I inflamed sulphur in nitrous oxide in the same manner as phosphorus;
namely, by introducing it into the small vessel filled with oxygene,
and igniting it by means of the heated wire. In these experiments the
sulphur burnt with a vivid rose-colored light, and much sulphuric, with
a little sulphureous acid, was formed.
Experimenting in this way I was never, however, able to decompose more
than one third of the quantity of nitrous oxide employed; not only the
nitrogene evolved, but likewise the sulphuric and sulphureous acids
produced, stopping the combustion.
I found that sulphur in a state of vivid inflammation, when introduced
into a mixture of one fourth nitrogene, and three fourths nitrous
oxide, burnt with a flame very much enlarged, and of a vivid rose
color. In one third nitrogene, and two thirds nitrous oxide, it burnt
feebly with a yellow flame. In equal parts of nitrous oxide and
nitrogene, it was instantly extinguished.
Sulphur burnt feebly, with a light yellow flame, when introduced
ignited into a mixture of 5 nitrous gas, and 6 nitrous oxide. In one
third nitrous oxide, and two thirds nitrous gas, it was instantly
extinguished. From many circumstances, I am inclined to believe that
sulphur is incapable, at any temperature, of slowly decomposing nitrous
oxide, so as to burn in it with a blue flame, forming sulphureous
acid alone. It appears to attract oxygene from it only when intensely
ignited, so as to form chiefly sulphuric acid, and that with great
rapidity, and vivid inflammation.