104 Prof. Faraday on Electric Conduction. 



freely permitted in the case of electrodes plunged into water ; 

 and yet if the electricity cannot pass from the decomposing par- 

 ticles into the electrodes, and so away by the wires, in a condi- 

 tion enabling it to perform its full equivalent of electric work 

 anywhere else in the circuit, there is no decomposition at the 

 final particles of the electrolyte, nor any electrolytic conduction 

 in its mass. Even in the air cases above referred to, there is a 

 complete transmission of the electricity across the extreme par- 

 ticles concerned in the electrolysis. 



If the above reasoning involve no error, but be considered 

 sufficient to show that the particles at p and n are not electro- 

 lyzed, then it is also sufficient to prove that none of the particles 

 between p and n have been electrolyzed ; for though one at e or 

 q may have had a current of electricity passed through it, it 

 could not give up its elements unless the neighbouring particles 

 were prepared to take them in a fully equivalent degree. To 

 stop the electrolysis at n and p, or at those parts of the surface 

 where the moving electricity stops, is to stop it at all the inter- 

 vening parts according to our present views of electrolysis, and 

 to stop the electrolysis is to shut out electrolytic conduction ; 

 and nothing at present remains but conduction proper, to account 

 for the very manifest efi"ects of conduction which occur in the.^ 

 case. ({ 



It may be imagined that a certain polarized state of tension 

 occurs in these cases of static induction, which is intermediate 

 between it and electrolytic conduction (Exp. Res. 1164) ; or that 

 a certain preparatory and as it were incomplete condition may 

 be assumed, distinguishing the case of static conduction with 

 globes of water, which I have taken as the ground of consider- 

 ation from the same case when presented by globes of metal. 

 Our further and future knowledge may show some such state ; 

 but in respect of our present distinctive views of conduction 

 proper and electrolytic conduction, it may be remarked that 

 such discovery is just as likely to coincide with the former as 

 with the latter view, though it most probably would alter and 

 correct both. 



Falling back upon the consideration of the particles between 

 e and n, we find, that whether we consider them as respects the 

 current which has passed through them, or the charge which 

 they have taken, they form a continuous series ; the particle at 

 e has had most current, that at n none, that at r a moderate cur- 

 rent ; and there are particles which must have transmitted every 

 intermediate degree. So with regard to charge ; it is highest 

 at 11, nothing at e, and every intermediate degree occurs between 

 the two. Then with respect to these supei"ficial particles, they 

 hold all the charge that exists, and therefore all the electricity 



