20 Quarterly German Magazine. 



"We conclude from this, that the decomposing effect of the 

 current is much more considerable, the more electricity is set 

 in motion through the chain, or the stronger the current. If 

 •we observe it for a longer time, we find, that the effect is not 

 equal. Immediately after the closing of the chain, the de- 

 composition of the w^ater as well as the deviation of the needle 

 of the multiplicator is very strong, gradually however, both 

 become weaker and weaker, and they are at last quite unob- 

 servable. What is the cause of this diminution in the action 

 of the chain? It can lie in the chain itself or in the decom- 

 posing apparatus. 



The plates of the decomposing apparatus or the Volta- 

 meter^ as such an instrument is called, by natural philosophers, 

 are formed of the same metal, Platina; they are therefore 

 homogeneous and do not require in the diluted sulphuric acid 

 any different electrical tension, and if we unite them wdth the 

 multiplicator, the magnetic needle does noj; de\Tiate in the 

 least. If w^e, how^ever, let the current of the chaio, mn through 

 the voltameter, and then unite it with the multiplicator, we 

 obtain a strong deviation of the magnetic needle, the Yolta- 

 meter now develops also a current and indeed, this current 

 takes an opposite direction in the Voltameter, to that wliich 

 the current in the chain took originally. These homogenial 

 platina plates of the Voltameter have become through the 

 flowing of the current through the chain, the poles of a chain^ 

 and give out a current which is called the secondary or po- 

 larization current. As this current takes the opposite direc- 

 tion to that of the original current of the chain, it is clear, 

 that it must weaken it. The cause of this polarization cur- 

 rent is, however, no other than the developed gas. The oxy- 

 gen namely, which is secreted in the positive plate, makes it 



(142) 



