14 Olft CHEMICAL AFFIN!Tr» 



Whew bodies are attracted, in consequence of a differerte#». 

 in their electrical states, and come into contact, or within a 

 certain degree of proximity, each of them acquires a nev*' 

 tlectrical state, and the new electrical states are found to 

 he similar: for between the bodies there is now exerted a 

 repellent force. The operation, by which difference of 

 electrical state is destroyed, is very frequently attended by 

 the emission of light, a crackling noise, a peculiar smell, 

 &c. The property, by which a body is broiit^ht to the 

 same electrical state as that of surrounding bodies, is termed 

 the condi'Cting power, and is very various in different sub- 

 stances. Metals have the greatest, sealing wax and glass 

 the least conducting force. 

 Vary in their Bodies may, on account of their electrical states, attract 

 *»€•• or repel each other with various degrees of force ; we there- 



fore conclude, that various degrees of difference in the 

 electrical states of attracting bodies exist; and that the 

 electrical fitates of repellent bodies vary in different degrcep. 

 fronri the electrical state of surrounding: bodies, > 



The game ope- When two dissimilar bodies are subjected to the san»« 

 ration produces operation, the electrical state produced in the one is more 

 uic^aTSects!' ^** ^^^* different from that excited in the other The same 

 operation, indeed, not unfrequently appears to be the cause 

 of diametrically opposite effects, when applied to dissimilar 

 bodies. If a glass rod, and a rod of sealing wax, be excited 

 by friction, and their electrical btates be communicated to 

 two insulated balls, which may be represented by the signf 

 A and B: both these balls will exert an attractive force on 

 the surrounding bodies; but A will more powerfully attract 

 those bodies, which have been in contact with B ; and vice 

 versa B those, which have been in contact with A, than 

 those which remain in their natural state. From this fact 

 vie learn, that the sealing wax and the glass differ less froiW 

 surrounding bodies, in their electrical states, than tliey do, 

 in this respect, from one another ; and consequently, that 

 the friction had produced opposite effects on them. Iif 

 ?I«»andn3inu« the theory of Dr. Franklin, an electric fluid is supposed 

 •lectricity. ^^ ^^ accumulated in the glass, and dissipated in the seal- 

 ing wax. Admitting the existence of an electric fluid, it 

 trottld seem to follow, that, if it be accumulated in the 



glass* 



