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It is, indeed, clear that as the metallic and non-metallic properties 
in the periodic system of the elements gradually pass into each 
other, theory will have to make clear that between the metallic and 
the non-metallic state there exist only quantitative differences, and 
that there are therefore all kinds of intermediary states possible. 
This demand can really be satisfied by an in every way plausible 
extension. 
For this purpose we must assume that the atoms of all the 
elements, hence both metals and non-metals, can split off and absorb 
electrons so that the following reactions take place side by side: 
Ree Mie Ke sn beeke gh ae 
me, m, 
and 
Nn n vl 
TEATER 
Ms me, 
in which ZE, denotes the molecule of an element and 
Ex and Hi, the ions. 
As is known for metals m, is mostly =1, and probably m, will 
as a rule also be =1. For non-metals m has often been found 
= 1, but several times also greater than 1. Of the factor m, no 
doubt the same thing may be expected. 
With perfect certainty we may only say this that 
n vi 
Y—vr,<X—»r, EEM TN) 
Ms nr, 
from which follows that when 
v=», 
and 
vy, — v, 
the number of positive ions will be greater than the number of 
negative ones. 
When now the question is put in what respects metals and non- 
metals will differ, the answer is as follows: 
In the first place the factor X is comparatively great for metals 
and exceedingly small for non-metals, so that for non-metals also 
the factor Y is exceedingly small. 
This is among other things in accordance with the great electric 
conductivity of metals and the exceedingly slight conductivity of 
non-metals. 
In the second place for the metals the positive ions possess the 
greatest solubility, and for the non-metals the negative ions. This 
accounts among other things for the difference in electromotive 
