INORGANIC RESPONSE 101 



(2) The cell is usually filled with tap-water, and 

 a period of rest after making up, generally speaking, 

 improves the sensitiveness. These expedients are 

 ordinarily sufficient, but it occasionally happens that 

 the wire has got into an abnormal condition. 



In this case it will be found helpful (3) to have 

 recourse to the process of annealing. For if re- 

 sponse be a molecular phenomenon, then anything that 

 increases molecular mobility will also increase its 



Before After 



FIG. 58. EFFECT OF ANNEALING ON INCREASING THE RESPONSE OF BOTH A AND 



B WIRES (TIN) 

 Stimuli (vibration of 160) applied at intervals of one minute. 



intensity. Hence we may expect annealing to enhance 

 responsiveness. This inference will be seen verified in 

 the record given in fig. 58. In the case under con- 

 sideration, the convenient method employed was by 

 pouring hot water into the cell, and allowing it to stand 

 and cool slowly. The first three pairs of responses 

 were taken by stimulating A and B alternately, on 

 mounting in the cell, which was filled with water. 

 Hot water was then substituted, and the cell was 



