Page:On Electric Touch and the Molecular Changes produced in Matter by Electric Waves.djvu/19

470 Restoration of Sensitivities to a Fatigued Substance.

It was said that the inertness of the substance, after long exposure, is due to the presence of a relatively large amount of strained B variety. It therefore follows that if by any means we can transform B into A, then after such a transformation there ought to be a restoration of the sensitiveness. It has also been stated that the B variety under ordinary circumstances is less stable than A. If now we apply a disturbing cause which is unilateral in its action—that is to say, if it converts B into A and not A into B—then such a disturbing cause will resensitise the fatigued substance.

Effect of Mechanical Disturbance.—Of the unilateral actions, mechanical vibration is one; for it is known that by the action of friction a substance may pass from one modification to another in one direction only. Thus the change of monoclinic into rhombic variety of sulphur is hastened by scratching with a glass rod, but the change does not take place in the opposite direction. We may now apply the crucial tests. Mechanical vibration will transform B into A, and with positive fatigued substances this ought to produce an increase of resistance (as A is less conducting than B); with negative substances the same disturbance ought to produce a diminution of resistance.

Effect of Heat.—There are other methods by which the B variety may be transformed into A; the more subtle molecular disturbance due to heat may be expected to be even more effective in producing the transformation. Here, too, the crucial test is that by slight heating the fatigued positive substance ought to show an increase of resistance, and the negative substance a diminution of resistance. The two following curves (figs. 8 and 9) confirm in a remarkable manner my anticipations.

Effect of Heat and Mechanical Disturbance on a Positive Fatigued Substance.—I shall at first deal with the curve for iron. At the end of No. 6 curve, the substance was left in the inert stage b. While in this state, the receiver was heated to a slight extent. Observe in the dotted portion of the curve the sudden fall of conductivity (increase of resistance). I should like to say here, that, though the fall has been indicated by a straight line, as representing the somewhat sudden fall of conductivity, I sometimes noticed on careful inspection a slight oscillatory movement of the galvanometer spot during this process. The significance of this I will notice on a future occasion. The ultimate effect of slight heating (excess of heat produces other complications) is the restoration of the original reduced conductivity. If the application of heat transforms B into A, we may expect the substance to regain its sensitiveness, which it lost in the fatigued stage b. The receiver was now exposed to radiation, and it at once responded, exhibiting almost its original sensibility. Observe how the subsequent