Attempt at a theory of galvanism.

of GT Fechner. When a zinc plate and a copper plate are brought into proximity to each other, which for our purposes touch appears (molecular area, contact near) so formed, by an unknown influence of this area, the following process: A portion of negative electricity of the zinc and a proportion of positive electricity of copper unite in the small space between the two plates 1) , and thus can both plates back respektiv charged with opposite kinds of electricity.
l)

Usually one assumes both kinds of electricity went respektiv on the opposite plates over; alone why they should unite not go? There is an analogous case, all in charge of the body by the electric spark which also seemingly electricity passes from one body to another. Of course, the assumption is still free, the electrification of both plates successes by decomposition of natural electricity present between the plates. It is possible that even with a non imperceptibly small distance between the two plates of this process began to be noticeably. Then this would result in the spark that occurs before total apparent contact of the limbs of a simple electric motor, explained by the transitions in neutralizing kinds of electricity. Until now, however, this assumption is not proved by the experience, but not refuted 2) . Marriage is not established with certainty that the spark appears between two metals have a greater distances, as to what their mutual electrical excitation starts, it seems to me the same no safe, although However, one should not be neglected by the contact theory objection to the latter are drawn to 3) , by now of course must also be task for the latter, either proof of the actual electrical excitation in the distance, or to show that a spark between two bodies can also be seen when they come into close contact. The last seems to me if not altogether improbable, as the glow of the burning and etwahige vorragendsten Spitzchen both bodies, the first meet, as well can be noticeable spark.
2)

It is certain that the electrical spark, even with vielplattigen equipment, necessary to allow the opening of a larger air layer, a very small gap distance has. Children found more accurate means of measuring apparatus with a pair of 1250 sparks do not appear rather than to the platinum points on each 1 / 50 inch were approached. In Davy's apparatus from 2000 pairs of the carbon peaks had initially on 1 / 30 to 1 / 40 inch are approached. That they could be removed later explained granted from a pipe ruptured about coal particles.
3)

You can not apply as a defense in any case, but that the spark appears only at the end with a wet head. The constant neutralization of the developed on the plates kinds of electricity, which is done by the damp wire, also makes the process of excitation and thus the transition between the plates continuously

while otherwise obvious reasons, the process will already be conditioned by the occurrence of an equilibrium state after only until very little electricity is brought into play.

If you want to try the intervention of the chemistry in the game of galvanic phenomena to explain, it seems to me a theory which makes the dependent chemical phenomena of basic electrical forces (electrochemical theory), much more suitable than the reverse. Such a theory, however, can be adapted only to the present state of our basic views on the electricity itself, which will probably still change significantly in the future. She can not be more, a preliminary experiment, the things as they are just now than to bring in the best possible connection, and where the need of this connection does not impose, it will of course be still better things independently of to see each other. My attempt to do this is, for example, if an oxygen particles and hydrogen particles come in very small distance from each other, so the same process is going on between them, than before with zinc and copper plate. It combines in fact a proportion of positive electricity of the oxygen and negative electricity of the hydrogen in the very small space between the two (the appearance of fire in the chemical compound), which both particles remain respektiv loaded with the opposite kinds of electricity, and virtue to attract the same notice and hold (chemical affinity), as the influence that they opposed electrically gets near the touch continues. They would even appeal to the absolute virtue of this contact occur (which is but for the newer atomistic views not accepted), unless another, actually existing in the bodies repulsive effect (heat?.), Which in the vicinity of the corpuscles of effectiveness ratios greater increases than the attractive forces (such as including the phenomena of elasticity prove) at a certain distance balance bring forth. Berzelius, however, has put the whole theory differently: according to him the kinds of electricity occur only on the two particles especially (but where then go the opposite kinds of electricity, which they were completed to natural electricity?), and when these kinds of electricity have obtained on the two particles sufficient strength, unite himself under the appearance of fire, and let the particles returned to neutral (but then what explained the cohesion of the particles after neutralization?). In my view, the appearance of fire with electricity development on the ponds is even much connected, and the heterogeneous ponds of a chemical compound by their close contact constantly opposes electrically. Also found no positive evidence for this evidence to the contrary are still vorbanden, although there have been some, however, can lead it! For example, the increased affinity strength, which are known to show the ponds of the body to other substances if just emerging from chemical compounds, hence the electricity nor have they had acquired by the touch nearby; further attempts Pouillet's (which of course a repeat need), after which water vapor by heat (not) delivered by another body, which could absorb the electricity from acids, walks away with positive electricity delivered

from alkaline solutions, however, with negative electricity, but above all, the ease with which according to this assumption, the decomposition of the substances can be explained through the column. In fact, when water comes between the negative and the positive pole of the column, then, as soon as the attraction, for example, the positive pole to the negative oxygen particles and simultaneous repulsion of the positive hydrogen particles whose mutual electrical attraction prevails, must be decomposition. Products resulting from the decomposition components now run in opposite directions with the opposite kinds of electricity to get them in their connection, and wear these kinds of electricity for the entertainment of the flow. By the kinds of electricity pole are always neutralized again by these kinds of electricity (basically, the course of events between two pairs of plates of the column repeats), a new development and the kinds of electricity flow is stable even in the metallic elements of the column. must occur. According to this view, therefore, the continuing flow is, however, mediated by the chemical decomposition and conversion, but this itself is but originally from the contact. The success is the same as if the head would only liquids to be without excitation, the internal history is however quite different. It is not received by the passive transition metals by electricity, which they continued forward in the current, but their own electricity. Or rather, although they conduct the electricity of the metals, in so far as it is not neutralized, also gone, but this electricity is irrelevant for the flow effects, they would under the condition of with this theory quite acceptable assumption that the fluids under the general law of galvanic series occur only induce the same equilibrium state, we see really occur when the mercury is not decomposable as a liquid conductor. Only by, in the decomposition coming to the fore, and led to opposite sides, electricities the liquid components of the equilibrium state is canceled. Is given in an embodiment of this theory as to some degree in Biot's textbook (Vol. III. Pp. 321, 372) by me 4) , must be taken into consideration that the particles of the nascent decomposing connection before the decomposition occurs, must arrange this: abcdef + pole [ - + - + - + - + - + - + ] Pol If now, for example, the particle a distance from the liquid by connecting with the substance of the pole or development, it is now (and before) the effect of the pole at + b and c go there to repel the former to attract the latter. In this way, both are closer to each other, and there is a momentary connection thereof that (wofern it is not indissoluble, ie, the mobility of the particles lacking), however, just as quickly disintegrates as it arises, by the continued action of the continuous overwhelming + pole. This effect propagates, as can be overlooked on closer inspection, through all the liquid away. b and c return, by virtue of the continuous effect of the pole, their situation one, then b to d repulsive, whereas in s to look attractive, and therefore is d by driven to the negative pole, s attracted to the positive pole, & c, it lights any

one that, as two particles change their positions, the disturbance of the equilibrium state itself (at a rate which the conduction velocity of the stream is likely to depend on the liquid) by the must propagate number of particles.
4)

However, I would now, especially what the game of au kinds of electricity affects the poles, present with some modifications. It also overlooks the fact that if anywhere, eg between d and e , an intermediate plate is inserted, the particle d (and likewise by virtue of the effect of other poles fro s ) must retire at the intermediate plate, as if it has b with c occurs in instantaneous connection, finds himself no more particles with which it in turn could link currently (Biot III. p. 383). The whole theory seems to resist to the first sight of the fact that, for example platinum at the poles does not connect with the constituents of the water decomposed, as it will separate them but according to this theory (see Faraday in the Annal. XXXII. p 440). But it is to consider that the separation must already take place at the slightest excess of the effect of Platinpols on the mutual effect of the components, that in general the separation merely by virtue of an excess occurs, but not in virtue of the full effect of the pole. This surplus needs but by no means necessary to be quite sufficient to provide a permanent connection with the platinum. Incidentally, we see indeed well known that metals often enter into the chain links, for which they are not easily able except the chain. How can the chemical view of galvanism to explain this? That way, the inability of simple substances to undergo conversion to the poles, as a direct consequence of the presented view is apparent, and that the set of Faraday's (Ann. XXXIII. p. 517), "that electricity, which decomposes a certain amount of substance and that which is developed in the decomposition of the same amount are equal ", can be set at least in very close relationship to a well-lit without further notice. I see nothing in Faraday's experiments, which is not at least as good for my, as his view would assert itself, but it is not my intention to weary you by further discussions on this point 5) .
5)

The Dear Author wrote the above essay to my first note to me is free but centering, aligned to publish the same, once should be negotiated by the object of the question. It seemed to me that all is right now, where the theory of the column is discussed from so many different sides, an appropriate time to make use of this permission.