142 Mr. Faraday on Electric Conduction 



With the latter atoms a mass of matter consists of atoms 

 and intervening space, with the former atoms matter is every- 

 where present, and there is no intervening space unoccupied 

 by it. In gases the atoms touch each other just as truly as in 

 solids. In this respect the atoms of water touch each other 

 whether that substance be in the form of ice, water or steam ; 

 no mere intervening space is present. Doubtless the centres of 

 force vary in their distance one from another, but that which 

 is truly the matter of one atom touches the matter of its neigh- 

 bours. 



Hence matter will be continuous throughout, and in con- 

 sidering a mass of it we have not to suppose a distinction be- 

 tween its atoms and any intervening space. The powers around 

 the centres give these centres the properties of atoms of 

 matter; and these powers again, when many centres by their 

 conjoint forces are grouped into a mass, give to every part of 

 that mass the properties of matter. In such a view all the 

 contradiction resulting from the consideration of electric in- 

 sulation and conduction disappears. 



The atoms may be conceived of as highly elastic, instead of 

 being supposed excessively hard and unalterable in form; the 

 mere compi'ession of a bladder of air between the hands can 

 alter their size a little; and the experiments of Cagniard de 

 la Tour carry on this change in size until the difference in 

 bulk at one time and another may be made several hundred 

 times. Such is also the case when a solid or a fluid body is 

 converted into vapour. 



With regard also to the shape of the atoms, and, according 

 to the ordinary assumption, its definite and unalterable cha- 

 racter, another view must now be taken of it. An atom by 

 itself might be conceived of as spherical or spheroidal, or 

 where many were touching in all directions, the form might 

 be thought of, as a dodecahedron, for any one would be sur- 

 rounded by and bear against twelve others, on different sides. 

 But if an atom be conceived to be a centre of power, that 

 which is ordinarily referred to under the term shape would 

 now be referred to the disposition and relative intensity of the 

 forces. The power arranged in and around a centre might 

 be uniform in arrangement and intensity in every direction 

 outwards from that centre, and then a section of equal inten- 

 sity of force through the radii would be a sphere; or the law 

 of decrease of force from the centre outwards might vary in 

 different directions, and then the section of equal intensity 

 might be an oblate or oblong spheroid, or have other forms; 

 or the forces might be disposed so as to make the atom polar; 

 or they might circulate around it equatorial ly or otherwise, 

 after the manner of imagined magnetic atoms. In fact nothing 



