424 Dr. G. Gore on a New Method and 



dissolved substances of equal chemical value, each addition 

 producing a new. state of chemical equilibrium, in which 

 chemical action and reaction are equal, I have by the same 

 method shown that chemical union of substances whilst in 

 aqueous solution together extends to large aggregates of 

 molecules of the most varied kind and of considerable degrees 

 ;of complexity (Proc. Birm. Phil. Soc. vi. p. 225). : This 

 universality of chemical union of substances whilst in solution 

 together indicates the existence of an equally general cause 

 -of such union, and that cause must be a molecular one. 



" The theory most consistent with these facts is a kinetic 

 one^ viz. that metals and electrolytes are throughout their 

 masses in a state of molecular movement. That the molecules 

 of these substances, being frictionless bodies in a frictionless 

 medium, and their motion not being dissipated by conduction 

 or otherwise, continue in motion until some cause arises to 

 prevent them. That every different metal and electrolyte 

 has a different class of motions, and that the molecular motion 

 of each substance varies at a different rate by rise of tem- 

 perature/'' This theory has been employed by me to explain 

 certain thermoelectric phenomena in electrolytes (see Roy. 

 Soc. Proc. 1883, xxxvi. pp. 54-55). " In accordance with 

 this theory chemical action is an effect of molecular motion, 

 and is one of the modes by which that motion is converted into 

 electric current. " " These statements are also consistent with 

 the view that the elementary substances lose a portion of 

 their molecular activity when they unite to form acids or salts, 

 and that electrolytes have usually a less degree of molecular 

 motion than the. elements of which they are composed " 

 (ibid.). 



A kinetic theory must agree with mechanical laws ; we 

 cannot create motion or energy, all motion arises from pre- 

 existing motion, every efficient cause of material change is a 

 kinetic one ; the immediate source of all chemical change is 

 the latent molecular motion of the combining or mutually 

 acting substances. As neither mere difference of substance^ 

 nor union in definite proportions by weight, is in itself an 

 active influence, neither can it be the immediate kinetic cause 

 of chemical change; but as both these circumstances in- 

 variably attend chemical union, and no such union occurs 

 without them, we may conclude that they are necessary con- 

 ditions of the union. 



By adopting the above theory, "that electrolytes are 

 throughout their masses in a state of molecular movement ; 

 that the molecules of these substances, being frictionless 

 bodies in a frictionless medium, and their motion not being 



