350 Resistance of the Ions and Friction of the Solvent. [Feb. 17 r 



There are two experimental questions which are of importance 

 although difficult to answer : first, whether the functional relationship is 

 exact or only approximate, and second, whether the positive and 

 negative ions are fully identical in regard to this relationship. 



That the non-elementary ions also show as their greatest temperature 

 coefficients that of water friction, but that they as groups differ from 

 the elementary ions, is to be expected. The latter fact cannot be 

 quantitatively explained. Here also it will be necessary to wait for 

 more exact experimental data to settle the question. 



(d.) Finally, the indication of the temperature formula that the 

 mobility of all the ions converges towards zero (cf. 2 and 3) at about 

 the same temperature, is a logical result, if the electrolytic resistance 

 is in reality a mechanical friction. The fact that the formula for the 

 fluidity of water takes part in this convergence, gives the hypothesis 

 further support. 



* It does not seem at all impossible that the deviations from a strictly 

 common zero point, found in extrapolating the different formulae, have 

 a systematic cause. These divergences seem to indicate that the 

 more mobility an ion shows at ordinary temperatures, the more slowly 

 relatively it loses the residue of its mobility as the solvent becomes 

 more viscous. The mobility of the water molecules themselves 

 becomes small at a comparatively high temperature, where such ions 

 as K, CI, N0 3 , SO4, and even more, OH and H still possess a con- 

 siderable residue of electronic mobility. Such a relationship does not 

 seem at all improbable. 



In the foregoing pages I have sought to find a cause for the electro- 

 lytic resistance in the single fundamental characteristic of the ions r 

 their hydration, that is, their ability to form atmospheres from the 

 solvent. These views form a hypothetical sketch for the completion 

 of which much is still wanting. It appears to me, however, complete 

 enough to invite one to its experimental or theoretical continuation. 



