Faraday to Richard Phillips   10 January 1830

Royal Institution | Jany 10. 1830

Dear Phillips

I received your packet of Alkali and regret that I have been obliged by business to delay answering your letter respecting it[.] But I have examined & think it a very fine article. It is as nearly caustic as may be only a trace of carbonic acid being present there is only a trace of sulphates and besides caustic soda I find little else than water & common salt[.] There is a small portion of insoluble matter consisting of sulphuret of iron & carbonate of lime but it can be of no consequence in the applications of the substance[.]

The quantity of alkali present i-e of soda is above 56 per cent. probably equal to 56.5 - In dry carbonate of Soda equivalent to 94.5 per cent.

Compared with American Potash the substance may be considered as pure and I know of no reason why it should not surpass that alkali in most applications[.] In many cases I think it must be preferable. Thus for the bleachers it is quite caustic & ready for use for the soap makers it is the alkali they want - & they have no occasion to refer to double decompositions whether they require some carbonic acid present or not I cannot certainly say - In glass making if soda give results equal to the promises given by the experiments already made your article must be of great importance[.]

What experience I have of the alkalis induce me to conclude that the powers of Soda & potash upon organic bodies as in bleaching &c is according to their equivalent powers[.] You will understand that I mean 32 of Soda produce as much effect as 48 of potassa. At least that is the impression on my mind and I expect to hear it confirmed by all those who use the alkalis[.]

I do not know of any other important point referred to in your letter[.] If I have forgotten any thing remind me of it[.]

I am Dear Phillips | Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday

You may make what use you please of this letter provided you do not publish it[.] | MF


Address: Richard Phillips Esq | &c &c

Please cite as “Faraday0422,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday0422