CAROLINE.
In the same manner I suppose as we saw an acid dissolve copper?
MRS. B.
Yes; but in the Voltaic battery the diluted acid is not strong enough to produce so complete an effect; it acts only on the surface of the zinc, to which it yields its oxygen, forming upon it a film or crust, which is a compound of the oxygen and the metal.
EMILY.
Since there is so strong a chemical attraction between oxygen and metals, I suppose they are naturally in different states of electricity?
MRS. B.
Yes; it appears that all metals are united with the positive, and that oxygen is the grand source of the negative electricity.
CAROLINE.
Does not then the acid act on the plates of copper, as well as on those of zinc?