On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 1 (of 2)Somerville, Mary
History
On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 1 (of 2)
Somerville, Mary
Matter -- Constitution; Microscopy; Natural history
Fig. 1 represents the form which the stratified discharge assumes in a
vacuum tube one inch diameter and 38 inches in length, + and -
representing platinum wires attached to the terminals of a Ruhmkorff’s
induction coil.
When the tube, with its stratifications just described, was laid
horizontally on the pole of a magnet, the stratified column showed a
tendency to rotate as a whole round it. According to the theory of
Ampère, the polarity of a magnet is owing to a superficial current of
electricity perpetually circulating in a direction perpendicular to its
axis; and he also showed that currents of electricity flowing in the
same direction attract one another, while currents flowing in opposite
directions repel each other. Hence, since the currents of electricity in
the magnet and tube were flowing in the same direction on one side of
the magnet, and in opposite directions on the other side, the stratified
column was attracted at one end and repelled at the other, so as to take
the form [sideways S], in consequence of its tendency to rotate as a
whole round the pole of the magnet.
When narrow bands of tin foil wrapped round the glass tube near the
platinum wires were put in communication with the poles of the induction
battery, brilliant stratifications filled the whole tube between the tin
coatings every time the electric circuit was broken or renewed; and when
the tube was placed horizontally on the pole of a magnet, the
stratifications no longer showed a tendency to rotate as a whole, they
were divided into two parts tending to rotate in opposite directions;
when the tube was placed between the poles of a powerful electro-magnet,
one half of the stratifications were repelled and the other half
attracted. When the tube was placed on the north pole, the divided
stratifications arranged themselves on each side of the tube, changing
their respective positions when placed on the south pole, but in every
case each half was concave in opposite directions.
Fig. 2 (p. 81) represents the form which the induced stratified
discharges assume when the vacuum tube is placed on or between the poles
of a powerful electro-magnet—the tin foil coatings C+ C- being attached
by wires to the terminals of an induction coil.
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
If a vacuum tube with or without wires or tin coatings be laid upon the
induction coil of a battery, or upon the prime conductor of an
electrifying machine, stratifications are produced by induction which
are divided by a magnet. Thus there are two distinct forms of the
stratified discharge, one direct, the other induced.
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