Page:Experimental researches in chemistry and.djvu/336

1831.] to vibrate, the lycopodium collects in three divisions; that between the nodal lines does not proceed at once into a line equidistant from the nodal lines and parallel to them, but advances from the edges of the plate towards the middle by paths,

which are a little curved and Fig 6 oblique to the edges were they occur near the nodal lines, but are almost perpendicular to it elsewhere, and the powder gradually forms a line along the middle of the plate; it is only by continuing the experiment for some time that it gathers up into a heap or cloud equidistant from the nodal lines.

But upon fixing card walls upon Fig 7 this plate, as in fig. 7, the course of the powder within the cards was directly parallel to them and to the edge, instead of being perpendicular, and also directly towards the centre of oscillation. To prove that it was not as a weight that the card acted, but as an obstacle to the currents of air formed, it was not moved from its place, but bent flat down outwards, and then the line powder resumed the courses it took upon the plate when without the cards. Upon raising the cards the first effect was reproduced.

19. The lycopodium sprinkled over the extremities of such a plate proceeds towards places equidistant from the sides and near the ends, as at a, fig. 8;

but Fig. 8. on cementing a piece of paper to the edge, so as to form a wall about one quarter or one third of an inch high, b, the powder immediately moved up to it, and retained this new place. In a longer narrow plate, similarly arranged, the powder could be made to pass to either edge, or to the middle, according as paper interceptors to the currents of air were applied.

20. Plates of tin, four or five inches long, and from an inch to two inches wide, fixed firmly at one end in a horizontal position, and vibrated by applying the lingers, show the progress of the air and the light powders well. The vibrations are of comparatively enormous extent, and the appearances are consequently more instructive.

21. If a tuning-fork be vibrated, then held horizontally