On the Motions of the Earth and Heavenly Bodies; As Explainable by Electro-Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion, and on the Conception, Growth, and Decay (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 edition. Excerpt: ... electric machine. Here the electricity is seemingly evolved by pressure from the cushion; the mass electricity of the earth ascending by the connecting chain on each temporary removal of pressure, to supply the place of that evolved from the cushion; the electricity so evolved being carried round in an insulated state between the glass cylinder and the silk covering, (both non-conductors) until attracted by the iron points of the conductors into the insulating jar. ThTs filling of the jar with electricity seems in fact a similar process to that of filling a receiver with condensed air by means of the forcing pump: the escape of electricity during its progress to the jar being as effectually prevented by the non-conductors it passes between, as the escape of the air is prevented by means of the pump valve. galvanism. Here the electro-magnetism arising from the chemical decomposition of the plates, is evolved, I conceive, principally from that existing in mass therein; for their atoms chemically united with the plates would be naturally required in the formation of the oxide, or other compound, generated during the change of state in the metal. On the electricity and magnetism thus evolved, two opposite forces would be acting; viz. the attraction of the strongly combustible bodies, sulphur or hydrogen, for the electricity; and that of the least combustible or oxidisable metal for the magnetism. The electric and magnetic fluids set free, being thus directed in opposite currents toward their respective wires, eventually come in contact with the substances submitted for decomposition; when the electricity attracting the combustible base, and the magnetism the oxygen or its compounds the acids (according to the nature of the article) force the...