The Boy's Playbook of Science / Including the Various Manipulations and Arrangements of Chemical and Philosophical Apparatus Required for the Successful Performance of Scientific Experiments in Illustration of the Elementary Branches of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy

by John Henry Pepper

Fig. 161.

a. The galvanometer needle. b. Vessel containing weak acid and the zinc and copper plates. The arrows show the path of the electric current.

Third Experiment.

The third source of electricity is heat, and the effect of this agent is well shown by twisting together a piece of platinum and silver wire, so as to form one length. If the silver end is attached to any screw of the galvanometer, and the platinum end to the second screw, no movement of the magnetic needle takes place until the heat of a spirit-lamp is applied for a moment to the point of juncture between the silver and platinum wires, when the magnetic needle is immediately deflected.

Fig. 162.

a. The galvanometer needle, with wires attached. s, s. Silver wire joined to p, p, the platinum wire. The heat of the spirit-lamp is applied at the point of juncture, +.

Fourth Experiment.

The fourth source of electricity—viz., magnetism—requires a somewhat more complicated arrangement; and a most delicate galvanometer needle must be provided, to which is attached the extremities of a long spiral coil of copper wire covered with cotton or silk. Every time a bar magnet is introduced inside the coil, so that the conducting wire cuts the magnetic curves, a deflection of the galvanometer needle takes place, and the same effect is produced on the withdrawal of the magnet, the needle being deflected in the opposite direction.

The magnetic spark can be obtained by employing a magnet of sufficient power; and the arrangement for this purpose is very simple. A cylinder of soft iron is provided, and round its centre are wound a few feet of covered thin copper wire, one end of which is terminated with a copper disc well amalgamated, and the other end, after being properly cleaned and coated with mercury, is brought into contact with the disc. Directly this cylinder is laid across the poles of the magnet, and as quickly removed, the point and disc, from the elasticity of the former, separate for the moment, the contact is broken between the point and disc, and a brilliant but tiny spark is apparent.