118 WD. Boboulieff—Dissipation of Electricity in Gases. 
Art. XV.—On the Dissipation of ssa. in Gases ; by 
DEMETRIEFF BOBOULIEFF 
[Translated from the Journal of the Russian Chemical and Physical Societies, by 
CLEVELAND ABBE. |* 
THERE are, according to the general statement, four forms 
of arocteinal discharge manifested in gases. ree of these are 
accompanied b luminous manifestations, and the sudden loss 
of electricity; these are the following: 
ischarge as an electrical spark. 
2. Discharge as a luminous sheet. 
8. Discharge as a kind of diffused light (Glimmlicht). 
4, A discharge without any light, and as a gradual slow loss 
this latter case is called dissipation (rassyania, déperdition, zer- 
streuung) of electricity. 
Coulomb has paid special attention to this dissipation, and the 
circumstances affecting the investigation into the distribution of 
electricity on conducting bodies. He has given a formula ex- 
pressing the connection between the quantities Q, and Q of 
electricity, found in a given body, at the beginning and the end 
of an interval, ¢, of time, during which the dissipation contin- 
ues; which is 
t 
(1) Q=Qye 
The quantity is called the coefficient of dissipation ; when it 
diminishes, i. e., when p increases, then the dissipation is slower, 
and vice versa. : 
Coulomb, making his observations in ordinary moist au, 
observed that the quantity — was very changeable. This might 
arise from the changes of temperature or of ay ae pres: 
sure, and the pressure of the aqueous vapor. Co b paid 
special attention to the action of aqueous vapor, Pa oe 
his opinion that — varies as the cube root of the quantity of 
vapor _— in a given volume of air. Many others after 
him have ed in experiments to determine this connection 
between the coefficient of dissipation and - the above quo 
causes; but the results of these labors harmonize but very little. 
I give here, in consecutive order, the akan of all the 
following savants :— 
P Pimecbelel ne seca assistance o: of Mr. H. Kalasosk in the preparation 
of this somewhat free translation of M. Boboulieff’s interesting memoir.—C. A. 
