1889.] Experiments on the Resistance of Electrolytic Cells, 543 



dotted lines the resistance of the electrolyte obtained during set A and 

 set C. 



A great many trials were made, some few of which are given in the 

 paper. All give evidence of a transfer resistance diminishing as the 

 current increases. 



The view is expressed that the "transfer" resistance is not dne to 

 a non-conducting layer being formed on one or both electrodes, since if 

 such were the case the resistance would increase as the current in- 

 creases, and wonld be greater after the application of a strong current 

 than before. It is suggested that this transfer resistance may be due 

 to some molecular interaction at the junction of the electrodes with 

 the electrolyte, offering a greater resistance to weak currents than to 

 strong, and the reduction of the resistance after the application of a 

 strong current supports this suggestion, in that the disturbance set 

 up by the strong currents would probably last for some time. 



A trial was made with acidulated CuS0 4 solution and electro- 

 copper electrodes under identical conditions, with the exception of 

 the area of the electrodes, which was varied. It was found that the 

 transfer resistance per unit area was sensibly the same for same 

 current density. 



The effect of temperature was also inquired into, but only to a 

 limited extent. With weak currents the transfer resistance diminished 

 very rapidly as the temperature increased, and at about 70 C. the 

 transfer resistance was very small. 



