It then increases in the opposite direction , only to decrease again eventually. The net result in this hypothetical example therefore is a diphasic potential, first positive, then negative. The area between the wave fronts is electrically quiescent. The potential registered by the electrode at any instant will be the algebraic sum of the two wave fronts. As shown in the figures, when the active zone approaches the electrode from a distance the net result is first, positivity.
Maximum negativity is reached when the solid angles are equal.
As the wave departs the potential becomes less negative, then passes through zero and again becomes positive. The net result is a triphasic potential, first positive, then negative and then positive again. This statement fits both theory and practice. Note that the hypothetical final configuration shown in Fig 4 is formed of nearly perfect sine waves. Fig 5 .