2HO 



MR. W. R. BOUSFIELD AND DR. T. M. LOWRY ON THE ELECTRICAL 



into the cradle, but would have remained adhering to the side of the flask. It 

 may also be mentioned that, whilst steam has a very penetrating action on the metal, 

 a thin film of oxide is sufficient to protect it from oxidation by moderately dry air. 

 We relied largely on the use of considerable weights of metal, amounting in each 

 experiment to about 150 grammes, to render inappreciable the effects of superficial 

 oxidation, and the results which we obtained fully justified this course. 



(2.) Conversion of the Sodium into Hydroxide. In order to avoid contamination 

 during the conversion of the sodium into hydroxide, the sodium which had been 

 weighed into the silver cradle was transferred to a platinum vessel, and this vessel 

 was also used for many of the subsequent conductivity measurements. The platinum 

 pot was in the form of a large test-tube, as shown in fig. 1, and held about 500 cub. 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. 



centims. When used for converting sodium to hydroxide it was provided with a 

 dome-shaped lid, also of platinum, which fitted into the top of the pot. Two 

 cylindrical apertures were provided for admitting the steam and removing the 

 hydrogen. The whole apparatus was thickly coated with silver, electrolytically 

 deposited, in order to resist the pressure of the atmosphere, and the dome-shaped 

 lid was further strengthened by means of silver ribs. An air-tight joint was made 



