692 Dr. G. V. Burton on the Kinetic 



The following table shows the readings : — 

 Table EX. 



Spark Lengths. 



Voltmeter Eeading. 



No Air Blast. 



With Air Blast. 



3'0 mm. 



24 



2-7 



25 „ 



2-4 



2-7 



2 



1-85 



2-2 



1"5 „ 



1-7 



1-7 



l'O „ 



1-65 



2-0 



"5 „ 



•75 



10 



1-0 „ 



2.0 



225 



1-5 „ 



2-1 



2-4 



2-0 „ 



2-05 



2-35 



3-0 „ 



23 



2-45 



The Table shows in every case an increase in the current 

 circulating in the condenser circuit when the spark-gap is 

 subjected to the air-blast, but does not indicate the much 

 greater steadiness of the voltmeter-needle which is seen with 

 the air-blast. Without the air-blast the voltage was by no 

 means constant, and the readings given in the first column 

 are therefore a mean reading from which the extreme readings 

 may differ by 10 per cent. 



The final result of the experiments is to show that when 

 using spark-gaps, 1, 2, or 3 mm. in width, in a condenser 

 circuit, for the purpose of exciting oscillations, much greater 

 uniformity in the discharge current can be obtained if the 

 spark-gap is subjected to an air-blast as described. 



LXIII. On the Kinetic Criterion of Potential Energy. 

 By C. V. Burton, D.Sc* 



1. TN a large number of cases, if not in all, energy which 

 A we find it justifiable and convenient to treat as 

 potential is found on a closer scrutiny to be essentially 

 kinetic ; and the object of this note is to supply an answer 

 to the question : in what circumstances may kinetic energy 

 be treated as potential ? 



* Communicated by the Author. 



