II. On a new relation between heat and electricity

Abstract

It is found that the reaction between an electrified body and a neighbouring neutral one, whereby the electricity in the neutral body is inductively decomposed and attraction produced, undergoes a modification when the neutral body is considerably heated. Under many circumstances it is found that the electrified body is rapidly and completely discharged. The action of discharge is shown to depend mainly upon the following conditions :—(1) the temperature of the discharging body and its distance from the electrified one; (2) the nature (+ or -) of the latter’s electricity.