96 ACTION AND REACTION OF ELECTRODES. 



An extended electric current is represented by 

 p n. Sections of terminated currents on each 

 side of / n, and crossing at various angles, are 

 denoted by the arrows numbered from i to 8. 

 The several resultant movements are designated 

 by the short arrows. 



Much ingenuity is requisite to render bodies 

 freely movable while connected with electric ap- 

 paratus. 1 



To exhibit the reciprocal action and reaction 

 between bodies serving as electrodes, and trans- 

 mitting currents in various relative directions, 



an eminent experi- 

 * menter contrived 



W 



- - a light wire frame, 



suspended on pivots 

 p and N (Fig. 20), 

 resting in cups con- 

 taining mercury to 

 .n insure conduction. 

 Fig. 20. The lower side of 



the frame E w, when arranged parallel with the 

 conducting wire / n, transmitting currents in the 

 same direction beneath it, is in its most stable 

 position of reciprocal attraction. To whatever 

 position the wire/ n may be turned horizontally, 

 the under side of the frame will follow it, and 

 retain the same relative direction. 



1 For an account of various original experiments in Electro-dynam- 

 ics, reference may be had to the Annales de Chimie et de Physique, vol. 

 xv., p. 93. 



