Page:Experimental researches in electricity.djvu/287

Rh investigation, by the circumstance of its giving, by its action on the metals, resulting compounds, some of which are insoluble, whilst others are soluble; and, of the insoluble results, some are excellent conductors, whilst others have no conducting power at all.

869. The experiments to be described were made generally in the following manner. Wires of platinum, gold, palladium, iron, lead, tin, and the other malleable metals, about one-twentieth of an inch in diameter and six inches long, were prepared. Two of these being connected with the ends of the galvanometer-wires, were plunged at the same instant into the solution of sulphuret of potassium in a test-glass, and kept there without agitation (907), the effects at the same time being observed. The wires were in every case carefully cleansed with fresh fine sand-paper and a clean cloth; and were sometimes even burnished by a glass rod, to give them a smooth surface. Precautions were taken to avoid any difference of temperature at the junctions of the different metals with the galvanometer wires.

870. Tin and -platinum.—When tin was associated with platinum, gold, or, I may say, any other metal which is chemically inactive in the solution of the sulphuret, a strong electric current was produced, the tin being positive to the platinum through the solution, or, in other words, the current being from the tin through the solution to the platinum. In a very short time this current fell greatly in power, and in ten minutes the galvanometer-needle was nearly at 0°. On then endeavouring to transmit the antimony-bismuth thermo current (813) through the circuit, it was found that it could not pass, the circle having lost its conducting power. This was the consequence of the formation on the tin of an insoluble, investing, non-conducting sulphuret of that metal; the non-conducting power of the body formed is not only evident from the present result, but also from a former experiment (809).

871. Marianini thinks it is possible that (in the case of copper, at least (866), and, so I presume, for all similar cases, for surely one law or principle should govern them), the current is due to the contact force of the sulphuret formed. But that application is here entirely excluded; for how can a non-conducting body form a current, either by contact or in any other way? No such case has ever been shown, nor is it in the nature of things; so that it cannot be the contact of the sulphuret that here causes the current; and if not in the present, why in any