New System of Chemical Philosophy

Author: John Dalton
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-07-01
Features: New System of Chemical Philosophy is the masterpiece of British chemist and physicist John Dalton (1766–1844). The publication of this book marked the establishment of the scientific atomic theory system and is a classic academic monograph in the history of modern chemistry. New System of Chemical Philosophy is divided into three parts. The first part, published in 1808, focuses on the structure of matter, elucidating the scientific atomic theory and its origins. The second part, published in 1810, combines rich experimental facts in chemistry to explain the composition and properties of basic elements and binary compounds using atomic theory. The second volume's third part, published in 1827, focuses on the regularity of properties such as oxides, sulfides, phosphides, and alloys of metals, further elaborating on atomic theory. In systematically discussing these topics, Dalton not only introduced his own experimental and theoretical achievements but also cited extensive experimental data from many great chemists of his time for analysis and comparison, offering critiques of their insights. This holds significant reference value for understanding the state of chemical progress at the time and the characteristics and evolution of scientists' research methods. According to Dalton's original plan, after publishing the second volume's third part, he intended to add a second part to this volume to complete the work. This additional part was planned to include more complex compounds, such as salts, acids, and other products in the botanical field. Although Dalton had accumulated considerable experimental findings in these areas, he believed that they could not be considered satisfactory until novel investigations were achieved. The rigorously scholarly Dalton may have abandoned this plan for this very reason, leaving it for future generations to complete when conditions were ripe. The President of the Royal Society of London, the renowned chemist Humphry Davy (1778–1829), once remarked, "Atomic theory is one of the greatest scientific achievements of our time, and Dalton's contributions in this field are comparable to Kepler's (1571–1630) achievements in astronomy. It can be expected that our descendants will recognize this, and he will be regarded as a model for pursuing useful knowledge and true honor." We believe that New System of Chemical Philosophy is a faithful record of this great scientific achievement, providing invaluable historical materials for studying the new era in chemistry that Dalton pioneered. At the same time, the book vividly and comprehensively reflects the characteristics of Dalton's research methods and thought processes. A profound reflection on it will offer many valuable methodological insights. Dalton emphasized both observation and experimentation in scientific research while excelling in theoretical thinking. His approach combined observation with thought, the accumulation of experimental findings with rich imagination, and novel theoretical concepts. It was through this approach that he began by observing meteorology, then studied the composition, properties, and diffusion of air and the pressure of mixed gases, summarizing the law of partial pressures of gases and deducing that air was composed of different kinds of particles of varying weights, thereby fundamentally confirming the objective existence of atoms. From there, through chemical experiments, he determined the relative weights of atoms, transitioning from meteorology and physics to chemistry, developing the atomic concept and theory from a qualitative stage to a quantitative one, and gradually establishing a scientific atomic theory system through rigorous logical deduction. In summary, New System of Chemical Philosophy not only holds significant historical importance but also carries great scientific and philosophical significance. For this very reason, we feel that translating and introducing this book to readers is a highly meaningful endeavor.