I. Introduction
Oxygen; the pure, simple gas, the limitless air, that surrounds us. It gives life, allows for organisms to function, and is a major element used in chemical experiments. Life as e know it couldn't exist without it. Yet two hundred and fifty years ago, we didn't even know that it existed, let alone how significant it was. Chemistry was just creeping into the modern era, and scientits began to pick apart at the concept of individual elements. Then, in 1774, a prominent natural philosipher, scientist, minister, and political theorist named Joseph Priestely began oerforming experiments on something he called a "new air", that is, a gas no one had discovered before. He isolated it as more pure than regualr air, and more functional. He had discovered oxygen.
II. Discovery
Not primarily a scientist, Priestely became intrigued with air during the latter part of his career. He spent much of his time researching and experimenting with it, eventually publishing a six volume work, Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air from 1774-1786. These volumes documented his theory on a material, determining how gases combusted, called phlogiston. However, the most fruitful part of his experimenting was his isolation of different gases, including nitric acid, ammonia, nitrous oxide, and hydrochloric acid. He wold boil, mix, and pour test samples of gas with nitrous air, using water and mercury as catalysts, to observe the reactions that would take place. He would then classify this gas based on the results. In 1774, one test yeilded what he referred to as dephlogisticated air: oxygen. He described it as different from other types of air, lighter, and more pure. It was far better for rspration and inflammation than any other gas he had discovered or used. He even noted it was better for any purpose than even the common air itself. He published a paper on it, and after recreating the gas several times, won acclaim for his discovery.
III. Biography of Discoverer
Born on March 13, 1733 in Birstall, Yorkshire, England, to Jonas and Mary Priestely, a family of English religious dissenters. when he almost died of illness in 1749, he abandoned his family's Calvinist traditions for his own, and wen tff to school at Daventry Academy. There he learned six languages, natural philopshy, theology, logic, and theory of mind. He then became a Protestant minister, opened a school, and led a congregation in Nantwich, Cheshire. He later became a teacher of rhetoric and language at Warrington Academy. In 1762 he married Mary Wilkinson, and the next year they ahd a daughter, Sarah. He worked on furthering education, pushing the need for history and education focued on students future needs and careers. he also focused on teaching natural philosphy, including anatomy and chemistry. His experiments on electricity created new discoveries about conduction and led to the creation of new equipment. He moved to Leeds to become their minister in 1767, where he successfully led the Mill Hill Chapel, published religious pamphlets on his own rational approach to theology, and avidly defended and assisted other dissenting groups. He also wroe his History of Electricity, theses relating to optics and vision, and created a formula for making soda water. Also, two sons, Joseph and William, were born. In 1773, the Lord Shelburne broght Priestely to Calne to be his children's tutor and in return would fund research. Over the next few years, he published works on materialist philosophy, duality, and religion, helped found Unitarianism based on his ideals, and began his experiments on air. It was during this time that he discovered oxygen. He later had a falling out with Shelburne and moved to Birmingham in 1780. There he used his findings on gasto help start the chemical evolution, which led to new chemical discoveries, and ultimately, the disproval of the phlogiston theory, crushing Priestely. He turned his attention to philsophy, and provided aid and defense for French revolutionaries and dissenters. However, his group of dissenters were forced to leave during riots in 1791. After living a few years in Hackney, life gre more difficult for the Priestelys, as Joseph was often ridiculed and dislike for his beliefs. So, in 1794, the family moved to Pennsylvania to start over. Immediately political groups tried to get his backin. In 1795, his scientific credibility was put under fire, followed by the death of his wife and son. Prietely, growing increasingly infirm, continued to be an educator and publishing philosphy until his death of illness in 1804.
IV. Impact on the World
Joseph Priestely's 1774 discovery impacted the way we view the air, chemistry, and eventually, respiration. He was made a member of every major scienific group and society in the western world, published over 150 papers and theses on science, religion, and philosophy. His theories on as, though some were proved to be wrong, helped to spark a chemicsal revoltuion that paved the way for modern chemistry. Although hs classification and understanding of oxygen as inaccurate, he nevertheless was the first to isolate oxygen and one of thefirst to confirm its existence. This would allow for the later discovery of elements and ultimately the periodic table. Also, his experiments, which showed that oxygen was better for breathing and combustion would allow for later inventions, such as protable oxygen tanks and oxygen lamps. His discovery, which he viewed as less significant than some of his other work, ultimately becam what he was most remembered for.
V. Journal Article
In a journal article, Joseph Priestely: Discoverer of Oxygen, written by the American Chemical Society, Joseph Priestely's research, experiments, and results are described. It first explains how gas was viewed, how scientists began experimetning with air, and Priestely's creation of soda water. Then, Priestely's backstory, his childhood, education, career, and position on religon and philosophy are briefly described. It then poses the question of how candles burn, the fundemenatal question which Priestely's experiment answered. Then, the nature of his experimens and his initial discovery of oxygen are laid down, followed by hs encounter with Lavoisier, one of the eminent French scientists studying air at the time, and how his discovery was proved and spread. Finally, the raminder of his life is briefly detailed. The article provides an excellent example of how important and impacting Priestely's discovery was, what it proved, and how it was proven. Ultimately, the article states that his discovery is hard to overstate and would pave the way for the future of chemistry.
VI. Conclusion
In conclusion, Joseph Priestel, an incredible man of many talents, was dedicated to natural philosphy, education, and theology. His passion caused him to inquire about the air, and allowed him to discover multiple gases, especially oxygen. This discovery allowed him to identify and dexcribe the nature of the gas which would later be recognized as the most imprtant. An experiment, which he viewed as only one of many, was one of the most imprtant discoveries ever and would go on to pave the way for modern chemistry.
VII. References
1. American Chemical Society. (2008). Joseph Priestley: Discoverer of Oxygen. ACS, Chemistry for Life.
2. Horvitz, Leslie Alan. (2002). Eureka! Stories of Scientific Discovery. New York: Wiley.
3. Myers, Richard. (2003). The Basics of Chemistry. Greenwood Press.
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