Excitement of Galvanie Electricity. 297 
tities of electricity in the several pairs of plates, 
when an equilibrium in the arrangement is 
effected, if m equal the number of pairs of 
plates, then 2nq= the total quantity of elec- 
tricity in all of them taken together. Let 2 = 
the quantity of electricity in the first eopper 
plate of the series ; then, by hypothesis, mz = 
that of the contiguous or first zine plate; also 
mx =the quantity in the second copper plate 
{by reason of the conducting fluid); but 
1: m::mx:m’*x = the quantity in the second 
zinc plate. In lke manner the quantities in 
the successive copper and zine plates may be 
found, and will constitute this series ; 
1 2 8 4 n 
Copper plates, x, ma, m*x, mix, &c.....ma"™ 
Zinc plates, mz, m?x, mix, m*a, &e.....m2" 
Hence it appears that the quantities of elec- 
tricity in the successive plates of copper or of 
zine form a geometrical progression, the ratio 
of which is m. Also the total quantities of 
electricity in the successive pairs of plates 
form a series in geometrical progression, as 
ander. 
Pairs of pl. 1 2 3 4 
Quant. of El. 1-m.xla.1-- m.x,m?.1-+-m.alm3,1--m.xl&e. 
From the above theory of Galvanic action 
it necessarily follows, that if the effect ofa 
pile be in proportion to the difference in the 
