16 CHEMICAL ACTION. CHAP. II. 



stance the two acting points assist each, and so 

 produce a powerful current ; the platinum will form 

 the positive electrode. But here it may be asked, 

 which forms the positive metal ? 



In all these instances we must not overlook the 

 circumstance of the decomposition of the electrolj^te ; 

 we have a combination and a decomposition occurring 

 at the same time; which of the two may be con- 

 sidered as the most important act in the deve- 

 lopement of the force may perhaps be a question 

 rather diflScult to decide. I shall now proceed to 

 speak, 



Secondly, of the developement of current force during 

 ordinary chemical action, during the reactions of dif- 

 ferent chemical solutions upon each other. If we take 

 a solution of nitric acid and of potassa, place them 

 on either side of a diaphragm of bladder in a divided 

 cell, and into each cell place a platinum electrode 

 and complete the circuit, the electrode In contact 

 with the acid is positive to the other in the alkali. 

 In the former instances in the voltaic circle, the 

 electrode in contact with the alkali, the cation was 

 positive to the other. With the solutions the current 

 may be supposed to arise irora the combination of the 

 acid with the alkali; in the voltaic circle to arise 

 from the decomposition of the compound from the 

 separation of the alkali yVom the acid. 



According to Beoquebel, nitric acid was found to 

 he positive with the hydrocholic, acetic, nitrous acids, 

 alkaline solutions, solutions of the nitrates, sulphates, 



