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Dr. G. Gore. Effects of Electric Currents. [Apr. 22, 



April 22, 1880. 



THE PRESIDENT in the Chair. 



The Presents received were laid on the table, and thanks ordered for 

 them. 



The following Papers were read : — 



I. " Effects of Electric Currents on the Surfaces of Mutual 

 Contact of Aqueous Solutions." By G. Gore, LL.D., 

 F.R.S. Received March 17, 1880. 



(Preliminary Statement.) 



In the year 1859 I made the following experiments, for the purpose 

 of ascertaining whether visible movements, similar to those obtained 

 by passing an electric current through mercury and an aqueous 

 solution, could be obtained by passing a current through the surface 

 of mutual contact of two aqueous liquids alone : — "1st. A definite layer 

 of oil of vitriol was placed beneath a layer of distilled water weakly 

 acidulated with sulphuric acid, and the terminal wires of a voltaic 

 battery immersed in the upper liquid ; no visible movements occurred 

 at the boundary line of the two liquids. 



"2nd. A dense solution of cyanide of potassium was placed in a small 

 glass beaker, a few particles of charcoal sifted upon its surface, and a 

 layer of aqueous ammonia, half an inch deep, carefully poured upon it. 

 A vertical diaphragm of thin sheet gutta-percha was then fixed so 

 as completely to divide the upper liquid into two equal parts ; the 

 vessel was placed in a strong light, and two horizontal platinum wire 

 electrodes, from sixty-six freshly charged Smee's cells, were immersed 

 one-eighth of an inch deep in the liquid ammonia on each side of the 

 diaphragm. A copious current of electricity circulated, but no move- 

 ment of the liquids at their mutual boundary line could be detected." 

 (See "Proc. Roy. Soc," vol. x, 1860, p. 235, par. 9.) 



Recently, also, I have made similar experiments, but in a much 

 more searching manner, in order to ascertain whether an electric 

 current, passing between two aqueous liquids, affects their diffusion 

 into each other. The essential difference in the form of these experi- 

 ments from that of the above-mentioned ones was to concentrate the 

 action of the current upon a very much smaller surface of contact of 

 the liquids, and thus render any visible effect upon their diffusion 

 more manifest. 



