669 



the regular increase of the potential value of h. It appears from 

 curve III how, in contradistinction with the other states, a tirst 

 recedes from b, and then approaches b again. 



The explanation of this deviation from tiie ordinary phenomena 

 is very obvious; for the potential value of a being low, b \N\\\soon 

 rise above this value in potential value, and this more and moi-e; 

 hence the diminution in lines of force between a and b tirst con- 

 tinues, till the potential value of b has risen to -1-41^; then lines 

 of force arise again between a and b, whose number increases with 

 the rise of the potential of b, so that finally the needles will, instead 

 of receding, approach each other. 



In accordance with expectation it appeared from the experiment 

 for the current measurement that the needle first receded from b, 

 stopped, and then approached b. 



This state of charge appeared, therefore, to be unsuitable for the 

 current measurement, of course under for the rest entirely definite 

 circumstances of thickness of wire, height, and angle of the needles. 



b. Limit of greatest sensibility. 



In the following examples of states of charge illustrating this 

 case a certain difference with the foregoing ones may be observed; 

 for the rest this modification was taken voluntarily ; b is here 

 namely in the initial state already at positive potential, while the 

 potential value was lowered during the measurement, in other words 

 in contrast with the preceding cases a approached to b through 

 increase of the lines of force between a and b. 



In the following examples the potential decrease for b amounts 

 every time to 2 F, and it is always stated how much then the 

 deviation is for a, expressed in mm. of scale displacement. 



state (+ 80, + 40, + 36,) V. 



(1) 



(3) 



(5) 



state (+ 80, + 60, + 60,) V. 

 b +58 V. 82 mm. 

 „ + 56 „ 85 ,, 

 ., +54 „110 „ 

 „ +52 „145. „ 

 „ +50 „250 „ 



state (+ 80, + 30, + 26,) V. 

 b + 28 V. 201 mm. 

 „ + 26 „ the needle 

 turns. 



state (+120, + 40, + 32) V. 

 b + 38 V. the needle 

 turns. 



(2) 



(4) 



(6) 



state (+120, +10, +2) V. 

 b + 8 V. the needle 

 turns. 



