Open AccessOn alternating current electrolysis
Publication year - 1920
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series a, containing papers of a mathematical and physical character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9150
pISSN - 0950-1207
DOI - 10.1098/rspa.1920.0018
Subject(s) - alternating current , electrolysis , electric field , direct current , current (fluid) , displacement current , displacement (psychology) , electric current , mechanics , materials science , chemistry , electrode , physics , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , voltage , psychology , engineering , electrolyte , quantum mechanics , psychotherapist
In the summer of 1915, Mr. E. Meigh, M. Sc., and the author, were engaged in some research dealing with the behaviour of bacteria under the action of electric fields. No definite conclusions were formed concerning the action of alternating electrostatic fields, and it was decided, therefore, to examine the effect of an alternating electric current on bacteria. It was noticed, however, that small bubbles of gas were formed at the electrodes, and, although these bubbles were not in the field of view of the microscope, nevertheless, they gave rise to a displacement of the volume of liquid under examination, this displacement masking completely any changes that might have occurred in the movement of the bacteria. This led to an investigation of the conditions under which such bubbles were formed, and, in the end, to a detailed examination by the author of some of the phenomena of alternating current electrolysis.