John Stuart Anderson

4a: Chemistry of the Earth (1942a)

Introduction

4a: chemistry of the earth (1942a). Explore the 1942 Liversidge Research Lecture on the Chemistry of the Earth, focusing on how knowledge of the crystalline state, acquired via X-rays, transformed inorganic chemical theory.

Abstract

Liversidge Research Lecture delivered on October 27th, 1942, at Science House, Sydney, arranged by the Royal Society under the terms of the Liversidge bequest. Reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of New South Wales from J. Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., 1942, 76, 329–344."Few developments in science have made so vital a contribution to chemical theory as has the knowledge that has been acquired, since Laue's discovery of the diffraction of X-rays, as to the constitution of the crystalline state of matter. This is especially true of inorganic chemistry, dealing, as it does, with compounds existing for the most part in the solid state as ionic or homopolar aggregates, rather than as molecular units. In this [lecture], therefore, the relation between crystalline structure and chemical theory will be taken as the general underlying theme."

Review

This entry, a reproduction of the 1942 Liversidge Research Lecture, "Chemistry of the Earth," offers a fascinating historical snapshot into the evolving understanding of chemical theory. While the title is broadly encompassing, the abstract quickly focuses the scope, revealing the lecture's primary objective: to underscore the profound impact of X-ray diffraction and the knowledge of the crystalline state on chemical theory. Delivered under the auspices of the Royal Society of New South Wales, this lecture represents a significant intellectual contribution from its era, reflecting the academic discourse surrounding groundbreaking scientific developments. The core argument articulated in the abstract highlights a pivotal moment in chemical science, asserting that few developments were as vital to chemical theory as the insights gained from X-ray diffraction concerning crystalline structures. The lecturer specifically emphasizes the relevance of these advancements to inorganic chemistry, where compounds predominantly exist as solid-state ionic or homopolar aggregates rather than discrete molecular units. This emphasis on the unique structural characteristics of inorganic solids, elucidated through crystallography, underscores a fundamental shift in understanding how matter is constituted and organized, moving beyond purely molecular perspectives that dominated organic chemistry. For a contemporary audience, this reproduction serves as an invaluable historical document rather than a source of novel scientific discovery. It provides critical insight into how fundamental concepts, now foundational in chemistry education, were articulated and integrated into the scientific paradigm of the mid-20th century. Researchers and educators interested in the history of chemistry, crystallography, or the development of inorganic chemistry will find this piece particularly illuminating, offering a window into the intellectual climate and the arguments used to advance new theoretical frameworks during a transformative period in scientific thought.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.