145 
Ms Mg +7, Os 
Ms MS + v, ds 
in the metal surface in the absence of catalysis. 
This explains not only the anodic polarisation, but also the cathodic 
and chemical disturbance of the metal. 
9. The influence of the smallness of the concentration 
of a component on the course of a process. 
In connection with the remark in the preceding chapter that the 
quantity of metal, which comes to equilibrium via the coexisting 
liquid, is exceedingly slight, even when the constant of the 
reaction is very great, we will point out that the same thing 
holds for all reactions in which one of the reacting components is 
present in very slight concentration. This should also be taken into 
consideration with the explanation of different electromotive proces- 
ses by the application of the idea “Solubility product of the metal” 
given in the foregoing paper. 
That e.g. the action of chlorine water on a metal can be repre- 
sented by the equations: 
M@M: + 20) 
and AT ORNE 5 
20 + Cl, 22 
does not imply that a metal brought into chlorine water reacts 
exclusively or chiefly in this way that the metal dissolves as atom, 
and splits up into metal ions and electrons, of which the latter are 
bound to chlorine ions by the chlorine. These equations only mean 
that the reaction can and partly also will take place in this way. 
That the part of the total transformation which takes place according 
to (89) can be very slight, easily appears in the following way. If 
the solution is permanently saturated with respect to J/, and if M = 1 
then (0) =V Ly. 
The velocity of the reaction 
20 + CP = 2Cl 
is given by 
d(C’) 
de 
The solubility product of a metal that does not decompose water 
being smaller than 10, the quantity C/ formed in this way will 
be only insignificant, even for a very great value of 4. 
As the same thing holds for all other reactions in which a metal 
10 
me k (CU). Lu. 
Proceedings Royal Acad. Amsterdam. Vol. XIX 
