display sample of rubidium sulfate
Date: circa 1900
Inventory Number: 3967
Classification: Chemical
Subject:
Maker: University of California Chemical Laboratory (founded 1873)
Owner: Theodore William Richards (1868 - 1928)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
10 x 8 x 5 cm (3 15/16 x 3 1/8 x 1 15/16 in.)
Material:
Accessories: paper label shared with object 3966
Description:
Inverted test tube mounted in a shop-made black-painted pine base. 1/3 of tube is filled with white powder. The label is identical to 3967. The label could have been written in Dr. Richards' hand writing. "Dimorphism. These two substances have exactly the same chemical composition, but very different crystographic and other physical properties."
SignedLabel on base: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA CHEMICAL LABORATORY
InscribedLabel on base: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA / CHEMICAL LABORATORY / Rb2SO4 /Rubidium Sulfate / Prepared by de Haen ; loose paper label probably written in Dr. Richards' handwriting: Dimorphism. These two substances have exactly the same chemical composition, but very different crystographic and other physical properties.
FunctionSet of two samples of rubidium sulphate (objects 3966 and 3967) stored in identical containers. Used to show chemical dimorphism, the ability of a substance to crystallize in two different forms.
