1034 Dynamic Theory. 



But the force of all polar attractions are also in proportion to the mass 

 of the polarized matter engaged. That what is called mass-action re- 

 sults from a sort of magnetic polar force rather than gravity, seems to 

 be proved by the phenomenon of equilibrium which occurs in many 

 cases. If, for example, alcohol and acetic acid be brought together, 

 they begin to unite in the formation of acetic ether and water. But 

 when this process goes on for a time it stops, because the ether and the 

 water already formed become a bar to further action. 



In a voltaic cell constructed by inserting in a vessel partly filled with 

 dilute sulphuric acid, a plate of zinc and another of platinum, the top 

 ends of the plates being connected by a wire as in figure 404, the acid 



FIG. 404. Voltaic Cell. The globules represent molecules 

 of sulphuric acid H 2 SO 4 , their shaded ends being the sul- 

 phur, negative to the unshaded hydrogen ends. 



is regarded as a permanent magnet, while the 

 metals are neutral bodies. As soon as the metals 

 z ^ are placed in the liquid, the magnetism of the 

 FIG 404 ac ^ induces tensions in the metals, and when 



the metals are joined at the top by a wire, these tensions give rise to 

 currents (see page 331). As in this case the magnet is a fluid, it 

 travels to the attracted body instead of the attracted body to it. And 

 so we find the hydrogen portion of the molecules of the acid torn off 

 and carried to the platinum plate where they remain in the form of 

 small bubbles, or escape to the air, or enter into composition again; 

 while the sulphur portion of the acid is pulled the other way and unites 

 with the zinc, forming zinc sulphate (white vitriol), ZnS0 4 , which re- 

 mains in solution in the fluid. 



According to Ohm, this movement of ponderable matter through the 

 fluid is continued through the metals by an oscillating movement of 

 lines of atoms, thus forming a continuous circuit of moving matter re- 

 turning upon itself. The current doubtless has an effect on the mole- 

 cules of its conducting wire, but the movement of such molecules is 

 certainly not electricity. The essential movement is that of the ether 

 in the acid to begin with, which secondarily sets up the movement of 

 the ether in the metals. The ether in the acid is in motion from the 

 time the acid is manufactured, and is the result and continuation of 

 the work done on it then, just as the action of the steel magnet results 

 from work done on it. 



It is interesting to observe that sulphuric acid occurs free in nature 

 in certain mineral springs, and in some rivers. It is said the Rio 

 Vinagre in South America discharges about 84,000 pounds daily. 

 Oak Orchard Spring in New York contains about 36 grains to the quart. 

 It is found in the saliva of certain mollusks, some having as much as 

 3 per cent, of it. It is also represented in various minerals, sulphates 



