Paper, 'A theory of voltaic action' by John Brown

Description

Brown writes: 'From a series of experiments made more or less continuously during the last five years the following conclusions have been drawn:— That the difference of potential near two metals in contact as observed either by the bi-metallic condenser (Volta’s) method, or by the bi-metallic ring or quadrants method of Sir William Thomson, is due to the chemical action of a film of condensed vapour or gas on the surfaces of the metals.
That the two metals with their liquid or quasi-liquid films are quite similar to a galvanic cell composed of the same metals as elements, and a liquid similar to that of the films as electrolyte; the said electrolyte being (in the ordinary static “contact” experiment) divided by the intervening insulating diaphragm of air or other gas.'

Annotations in pencil and ink throughout.

Subject: Physics / Electricity

Received 4 October 1886 / 15 October 1886. Read 18 November 1886. Communicated by Lord Rayleigh [John William Strutt].

A version of this paper was published in volume 41 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'A theory of voltaic action'.

Reference number

PP/9/9

Earliest possible date

1886

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

68 pages

Format

Manuscript