The origin of osmotic effects. IV.—Hydronodynamic change in aqueous solutions

Abstract

From 1885 onwards, in communications to this Society and elsewhere, I have advocated an electrolytic explanation of chemical change, reciprocally a chemical explanation of electrolysis, in which no assumption is made beyond the ordinary canons of chemical belief. I have reason to think that, even now, my conception is in no way understood. I also can but recognise that I have not yet presented my full case. The following statement is an attempt to show that a simple explanation may be given of the operations involved in the dissolution of "salts" in water, of the same mathematical form as the ionic dissociation hypothesis, accounting equally well for electrical and osmotic peculiarities, which has the advantage that it is in harmony with general chemical experience. Although in most part but a repetition of arguments already advanced, the statement is more comprehensive and definite than any previous attempt; the consequences, particularly with respect to water, may prove to be not without application in other fields of inquiry.