Prof. Ostwald on Chemical Action at a Distance. 151 



An example of the second case is the dissolving of gold in 

 chlorine-water. In order that gold ions may enter the 

 liquid there must be formed there a corresponding number 

 (three times greater) of chlorine ions; this takes place by the 

 splitting up of the chlorine molecules of the chlorine-water 

 into negatively charged chlorine ions. 



The closer analysis of these reactions leads us consequently 

 to conclusions by which certain assumptions in regard to 

 the electrical charges of the atoms suffer not inconsiderable 

 changes. Since the time of the electrochemical theory of 

 Berzelius the idea has been held that the holding together of 

 the atoms in molecules is conditioned by the opposed electrical 

 charges of the former, and this representation has been also 

 applied to the case of the combination of the same atoms, 

 which Berzelius looked upon as impossible. According to 

 this a neutral chlorine molecule would have to yield a posi- 

 tive and a negative chlorine atom when split up. But such 

 an assumption stands in complete contradiction with ex- 

 perience, which has hitherto made us acquainted with nega- 

 tively charged chlorine atoms exclusively, and we have not the 

 slightest indication that positive chlorine ions can exist. We 

 must, on the contrary, in the face of the entirely general fact 

 of the formation of dissociated chlorides out of the metals 

 and free chlorine, make the assumption that with the break- 

 ing down of the chlorine molecules 01 2 into chlorine ions (not 

 chlorine atoms, as are formed at white heat) both parts of the 

 molecule assume the same negative charge. This seems to 

 stand in opposition to the general experience that, with the 

 formation of electrical charges, equal quantities of positive 

 and negative electricity must always be produced. Still this 

 principle is also confirmed here, for from ordinary chlorine 

 negative chlorine ions are formed only under such circum- 

 stances that, at the same time, the same number of positive 

 ions is produced. The great activity of free chlorine in its 

 action upon metals is conditioned by the great inclination of 

 chlorine to pass over into the condition of ions ; iodine, which 

 presents this inclination in a far less degree, and has accord- 

 ingly no such great affinity to negative electricity, if I may be 

 allowed the expression, has correspondingly a far less capacity 

 for transferring metals into the condition of ions, or, accord- 

 ing to the customary but ill-chosen expression, to combine 

 with them. 



These considerations give us the explanation for the action 

 which oxidizing agents show upon contact with platinum 

 which is connected with the " nobler " metals. If we have, 

 for example, gold in a solution of common salt, it has an 



