Experimental researches in electricity. Twenty-sixth series. On magnetic conducting power and atmospheric magnetism

Abstract

The remarkable results respecting oxygen and nitrogen described in the last Series, and the absence of any change of volume under strong magnetic action, led the author to apply for a time the idea of conducting power to the magnetic phenomena there described, meaning by that phrase the capability which bodies possess of affecting the transmission of the magnetic force without any reference to the process by which that transmission is effected; and assuming that two bodies are at the same time in the magnetic field, and that one displaces the other, he considers the result as a differential effect of their difference in conducting power. If a free portion of space be considered with lines of equal magnetic force passing across it, they will be straight and parallel lines. If a sphere of paramagnetic matter be placed in such a space, they will gather upon and in the sphere, being no longer parallel in their course, nor of equal intensity in every part; or if a sphere of diamagnetic matter replace the former sphere, the lines of force will open out where the sphere is, being again no longer parallel in direction nor uniform in force. When the field of magnetic force is formed between the opposite flat ends of two large magnetic poles, then these are affected, and the globes also, and there are mutual actions; a paramagnetic body, if a little elongated, points axially and tends to go to the iron walls of the field, whilst a similar diamagnetic body points equatorially, and tends to go to the middle of the field. Paramagnetic bodies repel each other, and so also do diamagnetic bodies; but one of each class being taken, they attract one another.