MR. S. W. J. SMITH ON THE NATURE OF ELECTROCAPILLARY PHENOMENA 7 



Pig. 5. 



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The surface tensions in the ascending branches of the curves were somewhat 

 uncertain and difficult to measure. The descending branches, however, were quite 

 definite. It is seen that when the E.M.F. exceeded a value corresponding to the 

 abscissa 4000 (= about '8 volt) the curves were identical. This result can be very 

 readily explained on the double layer view of polarization in an electrolytic cell con- 

 sidered at the beginning of the paper, if we assume that the potential difference 

 between $n K 1 ;m<l \n K< '1 can U> neglected, and that there is no appreciable concen- 

 tration E.M.F. within the liquid. Since the potential difference at the large electrode 

 has not been altered between the two sets of experiments, the potential difference 

 (ir< IT,) at the small electrode for a given applied E.M.F. will be the same for both 

 i-urviw. When the applied E.M.F. is less than '8 volt., the surface tension does not 

 (It'jK'iid mrivly uix'ii the potent i.-il ilitVcrence at the small electrode, but also upon the 

 chemical nature of the solution. Now the solutions are the same in every respect 



