Van Helmont, Jan Baptista

 

Jan Baptista van Helmont, a Belgian chemist, physiologist, and physician, recognized the existence of discrete gases and first identified carbon dioxide. Helmont was the first to recognize the existence of gases distinct from atmospheric air and the first to use the term “gas.” He determined that the gas given off by burning charcoal is the same as that given off by fermenting grape juice. He called it spiritus silvestre (“wild spirit”), now known as carbon dioxide.

Sources

  • Cleveland, Cutler (Lead Author); Peter Saundry (Topic Editor). 2009. "Helmont, Jan Baptista van." In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [Published in the Encyclopedia of Earth January 17, 2009; Retrieved October 19, 2009]. <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Helmont,_Jan_Baptista_van>

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