Syntheses for the three members of the copper hydroxyl nitrate family – the polymorphs rouaite and gerhardtite, and likasite – are presented along with powder diffraction data and unit-cell parameters. The solubilities, determined in 0.05 M KNO3solution after equilibration at 25°C for 10 days were used to calculate activity-based solubility product constants. The Gibbs energies of formation, obtained from the solubility products, are –653.2±0.7 kJ/mol, –655.1±1.2 kJ/mol and –1506.4±1.1 kJ/mol, for rouaite, gerhardtite, and likasite (Cu3NO3(OH)5·2H2O), respectively. The values for the polymorphs rouaite and gerhardtite validate the observations of Oswald that gerhardtite is the most stable polymorph at room temperature and that the preparation of predominantly rouaite in syntheses carried out at room temperature must be due to the metastability and low rate of conversion to the more stable gerhardtite.

Festinger (1957) hypothesized that cognitive dissonance would be aroused postdecision and that the more weighty the choice, the greater the dissonance. His first hypothesis has been supported in racetrack betting and in guessing contests; however, no attempt was made to test the hypothesis that the greater the stakes, the greater the dissonance. In addition to replicating the Knox and Inkster 1968 racetrack betting study, this research focused on the size of the bet and the amount of confidence expressed. 129 Charleston, West Virginia racetrack bettors recorded their confidence in winning shortly before or immediately after placing bets smaller or greater than $5.00. Chi-squared analyses indicated that postdecision dissonance occurred, but a two-sample t test indicated no significant relationship between size of the bet and bettors' confidence. Possible reasons for the lack of support are discussed.