Fossil Fuels, Dynamite, and Chemistry's Pioneers

Fossil Fuels: Formation and Combustion

How Fossil Fuels Are Formed

Fossil fuels, including natural gas, petrol (gasoline), and coal, are formed from the remains of ancient living organisms over millions of years. These vital energy sources are primarily compounds of carbon and hydrocarbons.

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels always produces carbon oxides and water. However, due to impurities present in these fuels, the burning process can sometimes release dangerous gases into the atmosphere.

Respiration: A Biological Combustion

A slow combustion reaction also takes place within the human body, known as respiration. The energy required for life is released when glucose reacts with the oxygen we breathe. This fundamental biological process can be summarized as:

• Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy

Alfred Nobel and the Invention of Dynamite

Nobel's Early Life and Interests

Alfred Nobel, born in Sweden in 1833 and educated in Russia, made his fortune by inventing dynamite and developing other explosives. Fluent in several languages and well-versed in literature and physics, Nobel became deeply interested in nitroglycerine and recognized its potential for the construction industry.

Developing Nitroglycerine Explosives

Upon his return to Stockholm, Nobel dedicated himself to developing nitroglycerine as a safe and effective explosive. This pursuit was fraught with danger, leading to several explosions, including one in 1864 that tragically killed Nobel's younger brother. Authorities, realizing the inherent dangers of nitroglycerine, mandated that Nobel move his laboratory outside Stockholm city limits.

The Patenting of Dynamite

Undeterred, Nobel was determined to stabilize nitroglycerine. He discovered that mixing nitroglycerine with silica would transform the liquid into a paste that could be shaped into rods. In 1866, he successfully patented this invention as dynamite.

Applications and Impact of Dynamite

Dynamite's primary uses involved breaking up rock formations. The chemical reactions within dynamite explosions release a large amount of energy and gas, making it incredibly effective for excavation. The invention of dynamite arrived at a crucial time in the mid-19th century, coinciding with the opening of new mines to supply coal, iron, and other essential building materials, thus revolutionizing industries worldwide.

Antoine Lavoisier: Father of Modern Chemistry

Lavoisier's Early Life and Laboratory

Antoine Lavoisier, born in Paris on August 26, 1743, was elected to the Royal Academy of Sciences in 1764. In 1775, he established a laboratory in Paris that quickly became a central gathering place for scientists, fostering many important discoveries in chemistry.

Disproving the Phlogiston Theory

One of Lavoisier's most significant contributions was disproving the widely accepted phlogiston theory. This theory posited that fire, or combustion, involved the release of an element called phlogiston into the air. Lavoisier meticulously demonstrated that, contrary to this belief, an element called oxygen played a major and essential role in combustion.

The Law of Conservation of Mass

Lavoisier also famously showed that the total mass of the products in a chemical reaction is equal to the total mass of the reactants. This fundamental principle became known as the Law of Conservation of Mass, one of the most basic and important laws of modern chemistry and physics.

Key Chemical Discoveries and Legacy

He dedicated considerable effort to isolating elements and breaking down chemical compounds. Lavoisier invented a systematic method for naming compounds (those made up of multiple elements) and notably discovered that water was a compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen. In 1789, he authored "Elementary Treatise of Chemistry," which is considered the first modern chemistry textbook. This seminal work contained a comprehensive list of elements, the most recent theories and laws of chemistry, and a definitive refutation of the phlogiston theory.

Lavoisier's Tragic End

Tragically, Antoine Lavoisier was executed by guillotine on May 8, 1794, during the French Revolution. Approximately a year and a half after his death, the government acknowledged that he had been falsely accused.