XVII. On the electro-chemical equivalent of silver, and on the absolute electromotive force of clark cells

Abstract

§ 1. In former communications to the Royal Society we have investigated the absolute unit of electrical resistance, and have expressed it in terms of the B. A. unit and of a column of mercury at 0° of known dimensions. The complete solution of the problem of absolute electrical measurement involves, however, a second determination, similar in kind, but quite independent of the first. In addition to resistance, we require to know some other electrical quantity, such as current or electromotive force. So far as we are aware, all the methods employed for this purpose define, in the first instance, an electrical current; but as a current cannot, like a resistance, be embodied in any material standard for future use, the result of the measurement must be recorded in terms of some effect. Thus, several observers have determined the quantity of silver deposited, or the quantity of water decomposed, by the passage of a known current for a known time. In this case the definition relates not so much to electric current as to electric quantity. A more direct definition of the unit current, and one which may perhaps be of practical service for the measurement of strong currents of 50 ampères or more, would be in terms of the rotation of the plane of polarisation of sodium light, which traverses a long column of bisulphide of carbon enveloped by the current a given number of times. Other observers have expressed their results as a measurement of the electromotive force of a standard galvanic cell. In this case it is necessary to assume a knowledge of resistances. The known current in passing a known resistance gives rise to a known electromotive force, which is compared with that of the cell.