Voltaic Current Research Articles

Sobre as experiências relativas à imantação do ferro e do aço pela ação da corrente voltaica: uma tradução comentada do artigo escrito por François Arago

O objetivo deste trabalho é divulgar, por meio de uma tradução comentada, um dos principais trabalhos escritos por Dominique François Jean Arago (1786-1853) relativo ao eletromagnetismo. Trata-se de uma descrição das experiências feitas por ele, relativas à magnetização do ferro e do aço pela ação da corrente voltaica.

Anti-Corrosion

The National Bureau of Standards, in a study made by I. A. Denison and Melvin Romanoff, suggests a method of combating pipe corrosion arising from local voltaic currents in the surrounding soil.

5. The Electrolytic Decomposition of Proteid Substances

Of late this subject has become of considerable practical interest in medicine, especially in connection with the use of voltaic currents for the treatment of uterine fibroids and other pelvic disorders.

I. On some relations of chemical corrosion to voltaic current

The chief object of this research was to ascertain the amounts of voltaic current produced by the chemical corrosion of known weights of various metals in different liquids. The research was also made to throw light upon the conditions which determine the entire conversion of potential molecular energy into external ( i. e ., available) electric current. The method adopted was to take about six or eight ounces by measure of a corrosive electrolyte and divide it into two equal volumes in two similar glass vessels. Two pieces of metal of equal dimensions were then cut from the same sheet, cleaned perfectly, and weighed. One of the pieces was employed as the positive plate of a voltaic cell in one of the portions of liquid, and the other as a comparison corrosion, sheet in the other portion. The negative metal of the voltaic cell was in nearly all cases a large cylinder of sheet platinum, and surrounded the positive one. The positive and comparison plates were wholly immersed in the separate portions of liquid, except that the former had a narrow exterior projecting strip for connexion in a circuit. The current from the cell was passed by means of a small sheet silver anode inch (½ inch by ¾ inch), and a smaller silver cathode (¼ inch by 3/8 inch) in a third vessel, through a cyanide of silver plating solution containing the least practicable proportion of free potassic cyanide in order to obtain the maximum amount of silver deposit. During each experiment observations were made of any liberation of gas or formation of solid coating upon the plates, and of any other circumstance which appeared likely to affect the speed of corrosion, or weight of the plates, or of the deposited silver; and in any case where any solid coating was found, it was entirely removed after the experiment, and previous to ascertaining the losses of weight by corrosion. After the experiment the plates were well washed and carefully dried between hot sheets of filter-paper before weighing. The metals and liquids employed were as pure as could conveniently be obtained, and distilled water was used for all the solutions. The sample of potassic cyanide usually employed was found by analysis to contain 89.14 per cent, of the actual substance. Nearly all the liquids were at the atmospheric temperature, and in nearly every case the comparison sheet was employed.

IV. Some relations of heat to voltaic and thermo-electric action of metals in electrolytes

The author states that the object of this research was “to ascertain the thermo-electric action of a series of metals in particular liquids, and to examine the relations of the thermo-electric to the chemico-electric behaviour of metals in electrolytes, and to ordinary chemical corrosion, and the source of the voltaic current.” With this object, the thermo-electric tension series, also the chemico-electric tension series, at 60° and 160° F. of thirteen metals in solutions of twenty-two different salts, alkalies, and acids, were experimentally found, and are shown in two tables. The same thermo- and chemico-electric series were also determined in solutions of different strengths of the same substances, and are also exhibited in two tables; and the effects of difference of strength of liquid upon the orders of those series are inferred from the results.

VIII. On the electrolytic diffusion of liquids

In a paper on the “Influence of Voltaic Currents on the Diffusion of Liquids” (“Proc. Roy. Soc.,” vol. 32, 1881), I described a number of phenomena resulting from the passage of an electric current vertically through the boundary surfaces of mutual contact of two electrolytes lying upon each other. As it was not possible by means of the apparatus employed in that research to definitely ascertain whether the mass of liquid expanded or moved as a whole in the line of the current, I devised the following arrangement for the purpose of more conclusively testing that question, and to obtain additional data to assist in explaining the phenomena previously observed. A is a glass vessel containing the heavier liquid, B is a glass tube about 15 centims. long and 2 centims. diameter, containing the lighter solution, and capable of being raised and lowered by means of the rack C and a pinion (not shown in the sketch), attached to a fixed upright support. The tube B is closed at the lower end by an india-rubber bung, in a hole in the centre of which is fixed the open glass meniscus tube D, about 16 millims. long, and having a bore of about 6 millims.; it is also closed at the top by a perforated bung, through which proceeds an open glass tube E, of somewhat smaller diameter than the meniscus tube, and about 15 centims. long. To the upper end of E is attached an india-rubber tube F, provided with a pinch tap G. H and I are two sheet platinum electrodes, each about 7 centims. long, and 18 millims. wide, for connexion with a voltaic battery. The connecting wire of H is hermetically sealed in a glass tube, winch fits air-tight into the bung.

1. The Effect of Flame on the Electric Discharge

The properties of flames of various kinds as generating electricity and as serving to conduct a voltaic current, as also their behaviour under the influence of a charge of electricity, have been investigated by several philosophers. But, so far as we know, the effect of flame on the electric spark has not been methodically observed, or at all events has not been methodically measured. This was the problem which at the opening of the College session presented itself to us, and the results now attained by a course of experimenting appear capable of throwing some light on the solution.We first made a number of tentative experiments, for the purpose of finding out the general aspect of the phenomena, and the conditions most favourable for exact measurement. An ordinary Bunsen burner served to supply a flame luminous or non-luminous. It was always connected with the earth, and the charged body was in general a disc of 4 inches diameter, connected along with a large Leyden jar to the insulated conductor of a Holtz machine. We tried the disc in a position above the flames, but found that the disturbing conditions introduced were, as was to be expected, rather numerous, namely, the heating of the disc and the covering of it with soot, and the melting of the gutta-percha covering of the connecting wire. Hence for a series of measurements we preferred the disc placed in a position at the side, as represented in the accompanying figures. (See Plate IV. a).

Societies and Academies

LONDON Royal Society, December 8.—“On the Electrolytic Diffusion of Liquids,” by G. Gore, LL.D., F.R.S. In this communication the author has described an apparatus, and an attempt made with it, to ascertain more definitely than he was able in a previous research (on “the Influence of Voltaic Currents on the Diffusion of Liquids,” Proc. Roy. Soc., No. 213, 1881) whether, when an electric current is passed vertically through the boundary surface of mutual contact of two electrolytes lying upon each other in a narrow vertical glass tube, the mass of either of the liquids expands or moves as a whole in the line of the current, and also to obtain additional data to assist in explaining the phenomena observed in the previous research.

VII. Electric currents caused by liquid diffusion and os­mose

The following experiments arose out of a research on “The Influence of Voltaic Currents on the Diffusion of Liquids.” As the converse phenomena of electric diffusion and electric osmose of liquids would be the production of electric currents by liquid diffusion and osmose, I made various attempts to obtain them.

Influence of voltaic currents on the diffusion of liquids

In a recent preliminary statement (see “Proc. Roy. Soc.,” vol. 30, p. 322) I have mentioned that “when an electric current was passed between the surfaces of mutual contact of certain aqueous solutions of different specific gravities, the boundary surfaces of contact of the two liquids became indefinite where the current passed from the lighter into the heavier solution, and became sharply defined where the current left the heavier and re-entered the lighter liquid; and that on reversing the direction of the current several times in succession after suitable intervals of time, these effects were reversed with each such change. Also, in various cases in which the contiguous boundary layers of the two liquids had become mixed, the liquids separated, and the line of separation of the two solutions became by the influence of the electric current as perfect as that between strata of oil and water lying upon each other.” These and other phenomena which accompany them form the subject of the present communication.

VIII. Experiments on electric osmose

The following experiments were made for the purpose of elucidating a question in a research on “The Influence of Voltaic Currents on the Diffusion of Liquids” ( ante , p. 250), and are published separately, in order to facilitate reference to them by other investigators.

XLVIII. The influence of friction upon the generation of a voltaic current

(1880). XLVIII. The influence of friction upon the generation of a voltaic current. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 9, No. 57, pp. 374-376.

The Electro-Magnet a Receiving Telephone

THE experiment of Mr. F. G. Lloyd, described in NATURE, vol. xviii. p. 488, is simply a repetition of Page's original experiment, the basis of all telephony. The electro-magnets of ordinary relays and Morse apparatus make capital telephone receivers when their armatures are screwed up, and it is a common thing for operators at intermediate stations in America to enjoy the music that is being transmitted between the terminal stations during some telephonic display. I remember the station-master at Menlo Park telling me that the music sent from New York and received at Philadelphia was heard, much to his surprise and delight, all over his little wayside station. The effect is dependent upon the strength of the currents flowing. With a Riess' transmitter sending musical notes and voltaic currents it can be made very loud. With an Edison or a Hughes transmitter the effect is much less, and with a Bell transmitter it is almost, if not quite, inaudible.

Facial paralysis; with remarks on the action of induced currents and of interrupted voltaic currents

Facial paralysis; with remarks on the action of induced currents and of interrupted voltaic currents

On various cases of intermission of the voltaic current

On various cases of intermission of the voltaic current

III. Researches in animal electricity

After a description of certain instruments, now employed for the first time in researches of this kind, the topics inquired into successively are :— the electrical phenomena which belong to nerve and muscle in a state of rest; the electrical phenomena which mark the passing of nerve and muscle from the state of rest into that of action; the motor phenomena ascribed to the action of the “inverse” and “direct” voltaic currents; and electrotonus.

I. Preliminary note on the nature and qualities of voltaic currents

1. In a recent paper “On the production of Vibrations and Sounds by Electrolysis,” I have shown that if a voltaic current of suitable quantity from two Grove’s or five Smee’s elements is passed by a mercury anode through a solution composed of 10 grains of cyanide of mercury and 100 grains of hydrate of potash, dissolved in 2¾ ounces of hydrocyanic acid containing 5 per cent, of anhydrous acid, into an annular cathode of mercury about 2 or 3 inches diameter and 1/8th of an inch wide, visible and symmetrical vibrations of the negative mercury, accompanied by definite sounds , are produced; and the current becomes intermittent as long as the vibrations continue, similar to a current made intermittent by means of an ordinary break-hammer.

Note on the decomposition of certain salts, particularly lead-salts, by the action of the voltaic current

(1858). Note on the decomposition of certain salts, particularly lead-salts, by the action of the voltaic current. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 15, No. 97, pp. 78-80.

I. On the constitution and properties of ozone

Among the many interesting bodies which the researches of modern chemists have brought to light, few are more remarkable than the substance to which the name of ozone has been given, whether we consider its many singular and anomalous properties, or its intimate relations with the most important and widely-diffused element in nature. For the first recognition of ozone and description of its properties, we are indebted to the sagacity of Schönbein, to whom the entire merit of the discovery unquestionably belongs. His earlier experiments were, however, chiefly directed to the elucidation of its properties, and of the conditions under which it is formed; but not being accompanied by quantitative determinations, they did not throw any clear light on its actual constitution. The subject has also attracted of late years the attention of several very distinguished physical and chemical inquirers, among whom I may particularly mention Marignac, De la Rive, Berzelius, Williamson, Fremy and Becquerel, and Baumert. Schönbein has shown that a body having a peculiar and highly characteristic odour and very similar properties is formed under the three following conditions:— 1. When electrical sparks are passed through atmospheric air. 2. When pure water, or water holding certain acids or salts in solution, is decomposed by the voltaic current, the new substance appearing, along with the oxygen gas, at the positive pole. 3. When certain bodies, and particularly phosphorus, are slowly oxidized at common temperatures in atmospheric air.

On the gas voltaic battery. Voltaic action of phosphorus, sulphur, and hydrocarbons

The author, referring to a paper of his published in the Philoso­phical Transactions for 1843, states, that in repeating and verifying some of the experiments therein contained, he was led to those which form the subject of the present memoir. With the form of gas bat­tery last described in that paper, by which the interfering action of the external air is excluded, he finds that deutoxide of nitrogen as­sociated with oxygen gives a continuous voltaic current; and that the volumes respectively absorbed by the electrolyte are as four to one, indicating the formation of hyponitrous acid. Passing to the more immediate object, of the present paper, he states that having observed nitrogen procured by the combustion of phos­phorus to give rise, in the gas battery, to a temporary voltaic cur­rent, he was led to believe that phosphorus, although an insoluble non-conductor, might, by means of the gas battery, be made the excitant of a continuous voltaic current, analogous to the zinc ele­ment of an ordinary voltaic combination. This expectation was ve­rified by experiments, a series of which is given; phosphorus being suspended in various gases and voltaically associated with oxygen. The experiments were continued during several months, and the results indicated the same consumption of phosphorus with reference to the oxygen, as would occur by the formation of phosphorous acid; the phosphorus being thus burned by oxygen at a distance. Phos­phorus and iodine, both non-conducting solids, being each suspended in nitrogen in the associated tubes of a gas battery, give a continu­ous voltaic current, and are consumed in equivalent ratios. Sulphur, suspended in nitrogen and associated with oxygen, gives a voltaic current when fused. Other volatile electro-positive bodies, such as camphor, essential oils, æther and alcohol, when placed in nitrogen and associated with oxygen, gave a continuous voltaic current.