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
When Professor Plücker of Bonn sent an induced current of electricity
from Ruhmkorff’s coil through a vacuum tube having a platinum wire fused
into each extremity, and extending a little way into the interior of the
tube, electric light radiated from every point of the negative wire, and
when exposed to the action of an electro-magnet the whole tube was
filled with a luminous atmosphere. But when all the negative platinum
wire except its extreme point was insulated by a coating of glass, the
rays of electric light which radiated from the point were united into
one single and perfectly regular magnetic curve, upon the approach of an
electro-magnet; when the negative platinum wire was partially insulated
by glass coating, electric light emanated from every exposed part, and
assumed the form of magnetic curves under electro-magnetic action.
Whence Professor Plücker concluded that the luminous atmosphere in the
first experiment was the locus of an infinite number of magnetic curves,
and consequently that magnetic light emanates from the negative or
warmth pole, and electric light from the positive or light pole. These
magnetic curves of light are precisely similar to those assumed by iron
filings from magnetic action.
The most remarkable of these experiments is the absolute extinction of a
powerful electric discharge by magnetic action. Mr. Gassiot sent a
discharge from a voltaic water battery, containing 3,520 insulated
cells, into a tube filled with attenuated carbonic acid gas. The
discharge was so strong that it was capable of passing through more than
six inches of the gas, yet, on the approach of a very powerful
electro-magnet, the stratifications were arrested as soon as they
appeared, as if blown out, and finally extinguished. A stratified
discharge, in vacuo, from 400 insulated cells of a nitric acid battery,
was extinguished by the large electro-magnet of the Royal Institution;
the luminous strata rushed from the positive pole of the battery, but
under the magnetic force they retreated; cloud followed after cloud with
deliberate motion, appearing as if swallowed up by the positive
terminal. The amount of electricity that passed through the tube
appeared to be materially increased by exciting the electro-magnet; the
discharge was so intense on one occasion as to fuse half an inch of the
positive terminal. A very powerful magnet is also capable of
extinguishing a stratified discharge. In fact, according to the law of
the reciprocal action of magnetism, the forces are equal in intensity
and opposite in direction.
The electric discharge from an induction coil is discontinuous, or
eruptive sparks of high tension are given out producing stratified
discharges.
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