Experimental Researches on the Identity of the Various Modifications of the Electric Fluid1841 - 25 pages |
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Experimental Researches on the Identity of the Various Modifications of the ... John Goodman (M R C S L ) No preview available - 2019 |
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appearance capability of passing charged surface chemical chemical decomposition connected copper copper wire decom decomposition of water discharge distilled water effect decomposition electric fluid electrical current electrical machine electricians electro-chemical electrometer electroscope exceedingly exhibited Faraday filament formation of gas frictional electricity galvanic electricity galvanic fluid gases given number guarded platina guarded poles identical with galvanic imitated inserted instantly insulated intensity Leyden jar magnitude means metallic mica minute mutual decomposing dependence negative conductors negative pole number of alternations obtained one-eighth opposite surface Ordinary and Voltaic ordinary electricity oxygen and hydrogen passing distance Physiological effects pith ball platina poles platina wires polarized bodies polarizing influence polarizing machine positive and negative positive conductor positive pole prime conductor produced proximate polarization quantity of electricity quantity of gas remote polarization Royal Victoria Gallery Sir H tension termination tical tion true decomposition tube unguarded voltaic battery Voltaic Electricity wine glasses Wollaston's apparatus Wollaston's experiments zinc
Popular passages
Page 100 - I believe at present that it can. But when what I consider the true effect only was obtained, the quantity of gas given off was so small that I could not ascertain whether it was, as it ought to be, oxygen at one wire and hydrogen at the other. Of the two streams one seemed more copious than the other, and on turning the apparatus round, still the same side in relation to the machine gave the largest stream.
Page 100 - On substituting solution of sulphate of soda for pure water (329.), these minute streams were still observed. But the quantities were so small, that on working the machine for half an hour I could not obtain at either pole a bubble of gas larger than a small grain of sand. If the conclusion which I have drawn (377.) relating to the amount of chemical action be correct, this ought to be the case.
Page 100 - I at first laid down, namely, that the chemical power of a current of electricity is in direct proportion to the absolute quantity of electricity which passes (377.
Page 99 - I am inclined to attribute the difference in this respect, to the greater intensity with which it is necessary to employ common electricity ; for, that positive and negative electricity, so excited, have each the same chemical power as they are observed to have in the electric pile, may be ascertained...
Page 85 - The water is decomposed at both poles independently of each other, and the oxygen and hydrogen evolved at the wires are the elements of the water existing the instant before in those places. That the poles, or rather points, have no mutual decomposing dependence, may be shown by substituting a wire, or the finger, for one of them, a change which does not at all interfere with the other, though it stops all action at the changed pole.
Page 84 - But in the experiment under consideration this is not the case. If, with a constant pair of points, the electricity be passed from the machine in sparks, a certain proportion of gas is evolved ; but, if the sparks be rendered shorter, less gas is evolved ; and if no sparks be passed, there is scarcely a sensible portion of gases set free. On substituting solution of sulphate of soda for water, scarcely a sensible quantity of gas could be procured even with powerful sparks, and almost none with the...
Page 84 - ... string." 339. That the electricity in this case does not resemble that from any ordinary source of common electricity is shown by several circumstances. Wollaston could not effect the decomposition of water by such an arrangement, and obtain the gases in separate vessels, using common electricity; nor have any of the numerous philosophers, who have employed such an apparatus, obtained any such decomposition, either of water or of a neutral salt, by the use of the machine.
Page 83 - Hence it appears, that decomposition of water may take place by common electricity, as well as by the electric pile, although no discernible sparks are produced. The appearance of two currents of air may also be imitated, by occasioning the electricity to pass by fine points of communication on both sides of the water ; but, in fact, the resemblance is not complete ; for, in every way in which I have tried it, I observed that each wire gave both oxygen and hydrogen gas, instead of their being formed...
Page 92 - ... Repetition of the experiments with a battery of one hundred and twenty pairs of plates produced no other effects; but it was ascertained, both at this and the former time, that the slight deflection of the needle occurring at the moment of completing the connexion, was always in one direction, and that the equally slight deflection produced when the contact was broken, was in the other direction; and also, that these effects occurred when the first helices were used (6, 8).
Page 92 - Repetition of the experiments with a battery of one hundred and twenty pairs of plates produced no other effects; but it was ascertained, both at this and at the former time, that the slight deflection of the needle occurring at the moment of completing the connection was always in one direction, and that the equally slight deflection produced when the contact was broken was in the other direction; and, also, that these effects occurred when the first helices were used.