Thomas Philipot and Chemical Theories of the Tides in Seventeenth-Century England

Tidal science before and after Newton

“…It is important to realize how difficult it was for other thinkers to grapple with the idea of attraction or "action at a distance" by some mysterious force such as that proposed by Gilbert or Kepler. For some it almost smacked of the occult ("Occult" is an Aristotelian and early modern term used when distinguishing qualities which are evident to the senses from those which are hidden (Roos, 2001).). In particular, the idea was ridiculed by Galileo who considered it "to be a lamentable piece of mysticism which he read with regret in the writings of so renowned an author as Kepler" (Thomson, 1882).…”

“…Galileo's theory of the tides has been discussed in the literature far more extensively than have most incorrect theories (e.g., Aiton, 1954Aiton, , 1963Burstyn, 1962Burstyn, , 1963Aiton and Burstyn, 1965;Shea, 1970;Palmieri, 1998). Roos (2001) commented that "there is a virtual academic industry on Galileo and the tides." The many publications are undoubtedly a reflection of Galileo's otherwise considerable scientific achievements.…”

“…Furthermore, the effect would be stronger on a moonlit night when the two luminaries (Sun and Moon) were in conjunction or opposition. Roos (2001) suggests that behind his idea might have been the fact that ammonium chloride is hygroscopic. However, the experiment was tried at the Royal Society by Henry Oldenburg (its first Secretary and the first editor of the Philosophical Transactions) and Robert Boyle (one of the founders of modern chemistry), with a visit by Sir Robert Moray (one of the founders of the Society) to see how successful it was (Reilly, 1974;Glassie, 2012;Roos, 2001).…”

“…Roos (2001) suggests that behind his idea might have been the fact that ammonium chloride is hygroscopic. However, the experiment was tried at the Royal Society by Henry Oldenburg (its first Secretary and the first editor of the Philosophical Transactions) and Robert Boyle (one of the founders of modern chemistry), with a visit by Sir Robert Moray (one of the founders of the Society) to see how successful it was (Reilly, 1974;Glassie, 2012;Roos, 2001). Moray had dissolved an ounce of "Bay Salt" and another of niter (saltpeter) in two-and-a-half pints of water and, after staring at it for half an hour, was rewarded with only a few bubbles.…”

“…For the "reflux of the tide," (its fall) he invoked the action of the "spring of the air," which was Boyle's term for air pressure. One should read Roos (2001) for an explanation of the justifications for his theory in the context of the time. His arguments can be considered as a contribution to the then general interest in the chemistry of salts involving Boyle and others, and, as Philipot himself remarked, his theory of the tides was no less absurd than the breathing animal of Kepler.…”