265 



The latter equation is sufficient to explain the electric super- 

 tension of the oxygen. It was stated ^) that in the case of anodic 

 polarisation of an unatlackable electrode oi' an inert metal the sepa- 

 rated oxjgen inu.st relative!}' contain too few electrons and too few 

 negative oxygen ions, so that oxygen in a state of formation or in other 

 words oxygen in super-tension would have to possess an abnormally 

 small electric conductivitly immediately after its formation, at least 

 when no other phenomena neutralise this effect. 



When we liave an inert metal, i. e. a metal that can be easily 

 disturbed, and we make this anode, polarisation will take place. 

 If the disturbance of the metal goes so far that oxygen is separated, 

 then, tiie metal boundary layer being poor in ions and electrons, 

 also the coexisting oxygen phase will be abnormjilly poor in elec- 

 trons. Besides tiie other substances coexisting in the liquid, the metal 

 boundary layer will also contain oxygen dissolved, and it is evident 

 that the state of this oxygen, dissolved in the metal, will depend on 

 the slate of the oxygen in the coexisting oxygen layer. 



Laboratory for General and Lnorganic 

 Chemistry of the university. 



Amsterdam, Februari 1923. 



1) Theory of Allotropy p 164. 



