MICROCOSMIC SALT Meaning and
Definition
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Microcosmic salt is a term in chemistry referring to a versatile and important substance known as sodium ammonium phosphate or ammonium sodium hydrogen phosphate. It is an inorganic compound with the formula (NH₄)NaHPO₄·4H₂O. The name "microcosmic salt" is derived from its ability to undergo various transformations, making it a representative substance or microcosm of chemical reactions.
Microcosmic salt is a white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. It is commonly used in laboratory experiments as a flux, a substance that lowers the melting point of other materials or aids in their fusion. Due to its fluxing properties, it is employed in the analysis and synthesis of both inorganic and organic compounds, especially those involving the analysis of metallic oxides.
This versatile compound is also utilized in the field of glassmaking, where it serves as a flux to lower the melting point of silica. Additionally, microcosmic salt is employed in ceramics to improve glaze adherence and modify the color of certain pigments.
Moreover, microcosmic salt is frequently used as a reagent in qualitative analysis for identifying various cations, such as copper, iron, and manganese. It forms characteristic precipitates with these cations, aiding in their identification through visual inspections or other analytical techniques.
Overall, microcosmic salt is a versatile compound often employed in laboratory experiments, glassmaking, ceramics, and qualitative analysis. Its diverse applications stem from its fluxing properties and ability to undergo various chemical transformations, making it an invaluable tool in the scientific community.
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Sodium and ammonium phosphate, originally obtained from human urine, employed as a flux.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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A triple salt of soda, ammonia, and phosphoric acid, so called as having been originally obtained from human urine.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MICROCOSMIC SALT
- nicrocosmic salt
- kicrocosmic salt
- jicrocosmic salt
- mucrocosmic salt
- mjcrocosmic salt
- mkcrocosmic salt
- mocrocosmic salt
- m9crocosmic salt
- m8crocosmic salt
- mixrocosmic salt
- mivrocosmic salt
- mifrocosmic salt
- midrocosmic salt
- miceocosmic salt
- micdocosmic salt
- micfocosmic salt
- mictocosmic salt
- mic5ocosmic salt
- mic4ocosmic salt
Etymology of MICROCOSMIC SALT
The term "microcosmic salt" has its roots in ancient alchemy and mineralogy. It is derived from the combination of two key words: "microcosmic" and "salt".
1. Microcosmic: The word "microcosmic" is formed from the Greek words "mikros", meaning small, and "kosmos", meaning world or universe. In philosophical and alchemical contexts, the microcosm referred to the human being or any small entity considered to be a miniature reflection of the wider universe. It was used to explain the belief that the human body and its composition mirrored the celestial elements and forces.
2. Salt: In alchemy, "salt" had a broader meaning than just the common table salt we know today. It referred to various substances with a white crystalline appearance. Alchemists believed that different types of salts played significant roles in the transformation of matter and the achievement of higher states.
Similar spelling words for MICROCOSMIC SALT
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