IV. The Bakerian Lecture: on some new electro-chemical phenomena

Abstract

It has been ascertained by Sir H. Davy, that when compound bodies capable of transmitting electricity are submitted to the operation of the Voltaic pile, their proximate and ultimate elements are separated with uniform phenomena; that acids are attracted towards the positively electrified surface, and that alkaline and inflammable substances take an opposite direction and collect at the negative pole. Of the ultimate chemical elements of bodies, the greater number exhibit the last mentioned character, and a few only appear to be attracted towards the positive extremity of the Voltaic instrument; and as bodies possessed of dissimilar electrical powers attract each other, it has been concluded, that the inherent electrical state of the former is positive, that of the latter negative.