Page:On Electric Touch and the Molecular Changes produced in Matter by Electric Waves.djvu/12

Rh In the above it has been assumed that the reaction of B variety is opposite to that of A. As previously mentioned, in working with a silver receiver I found it, when fresh, exhibiting at first a diminution and, subsequently, an increase of resistance. The anomalous action may be explained by supposing the normal fresh silver Ag to be positive, and the radiation product Ag′ negative. These two varieties would thus give rise to opposite reactions. To justify the assumptions made above, it became necessary to obtain by some other means a variety of silver Ag′, analogous to the hypothetical negative variety.]

Two Varieties of Silver.

After many unsuccessful attempts, I at last obtained a variety of silver which gives a moderately negative reaction (increase of resistance). Silver chloride was first precipitated by the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid to silver nitrate solution. The precipitate was then reduced to metallic silver by zinc filings, the excess of zinc being dissolved off by the action of HCl. This form of silver gives a negative reaction. Direct precipitation of silver produced by dipping a piece of zinc in AgNO$3$ solution gives a positive variety. The negative product Ag′ is perhaps better formed at relatively low temperatures, for the products obtained on certain warm days, the thermometer registering 27° C., were very feebly negative, and passed into the positive state after an interval of twenty-four hours. But on cold days (temperature = 22° C.) the products obtained were stable. I have specimens which have kept the negative property unimpaired for nearly three months. The negative property is not due to any accidental impurity, for pure silver obtained by Stas' method also gave the negative reaction. The negative reaction may, however, be supposed to be due to a thin film of chloride formed during reduction. I washed the Ag′ with NH$3$, then with water, and, after drying, the result was still a negative reaction. I then carried out a parallel set of experiments with ordinary silver filings. Two separate quantities were taken; one was shaken with only HCl, the other was mixed with zinc filings, and the excess of zinc was dissolved off with HCl; the two specimens were then washed and dried. Both gave the positive reaction of ordinary silver. The above experiments are interesting for the production, by chemical means, of an allotropic variety analogous to the transitory radiation product.

There are other differences of electric behaviour between Ag and Ag′; for instance, when made into a voltaic cell, the two varieties give a P.D. of about 0·12 volt. There are other interesting peculiarities about this cell, the consideration of which is postponed to a future occasion.