The Bakerian Lecture: on some new electro-chemical phenomena

Abstract

When any decompositions are effected by means of the voltaic battery, it is known that one of the constituents is attracted towards the positive pole, and the other to the negative. Of the ultimate chemical elements a very small proportion is attracted by the former, by far the greatest part being attracted by the negative pole; and it is thence inferred that these are themselves possessed of inherent positive electricity. Although all the differences observable between voltaic and common electricity have already been shown to depend solely upon difference of quantity and of intensity, Mr. Brande has thought it would be desirable to trace their relation, with regard to a series of phenomena that have not yet undergone a comparative examination.