An invisible college working with invisible materials:

Robert Boyle and the properties of gases

The study of the properties of gases predates "scientific chemistry", and was an active field in the 17th century. Robert Boyle (1627-1691), whose name we associate with the inverse relationship between pressure and volume, identified himself as an alchemist and believed that base metals (such as iron) could be "transmuted" into more precious metals such as gold. The Invisible College was group of natural philosophers working in England, which Boyle joined in the 1650s. This group eventually became the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, still operating nearly 400 years later. Though general chemistry books in the US refer to Boyle's Law, that inverse relationship between pressure and volume is attributed in some texts (principally in Europe) to Mariotte. Boyle authored The Skeptical Chemist, where he encouraged experimentation and observation, and Some Considerations Touching the Usefulnesse of Experimental Natural Philosophy, where he strongly supported the teaching of experimental science in schools.

See the Wikipedia for more information.

The written material on this page is © 2004, by Michelle M. Francl, mfrancl@brynmawr.edu. It may be reproduced for use in your individual classroom, e.g. on problem sets, but may not be included in materials intended for sale without the express permission of the author. Last updated June 30, 2004. This copyright notice must be included when the material is reproduced. Feedback may be sent to the author at the address given.