Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-04-03
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Electricity.

With all due Difference to Prof. Abernethy,
for most assuredly | regard him as a chris
tan and a scholar, | must dissent from his
adopted theory of Electricity, viz that
" there are tnO electric huids.'
Prot. Abernethy enumerates three s'rea-
sons which, he says, has established him in
the faith that there are two fluids. These |
will endeavor to answer respectively
/. He asks, if there is but one fluid, upon
what known law of matter can we explain
the tremendous velocity with which that
fluid rushes from one body into another %
We think it as difficult to explain this pho
nomenon by means of Du Fay's theory, as by
Frank!in'S; for if there are two fluids, tho at
traction between them must be very feeble,
since it is easily overcome by simply rub
bling the electric, therefore they would not
rush together with a tremendous velocity"
since the attraction between them is so fee
bic. Now, we think we can account tor this
tremendous velocity of the electric fluid by
means of Franklin's theory There is a very
powerful and inherent attraction between the
atoms of the electric fluid. The ultimate
effect of this attraction is the restoration of
equilibrium; and when this is accomplished,
the attraction becomes latent until equilib-
rum is again destroyed. Thus when euui-
10 OSoOiOJ Oo, thC CCIl
the other is Immediately developed in a high
degree, and hence it is that it rushes from
one body to another with such a mighty We
locity.
2. Prof. Abernethy says we certainly
would have no difficulty in charging a Ley
den jar, though at the sam time its outer
coating might be insulated, if there is but
one f1did.
The reason that a Leyden jar cannot be
charged unless its outer coating is connected
with the earth, is simply this: whenever an
atom of the electric fluid accumulates on the
inner coating, a corresponding atom must be
moved from the outer one. This is proven to
be true from the fact that there is a limit to
the charging of a jar and this limit is, when
ever all the atoms are removed from the out
or coating.
The third reason Prof. Abernethy gives in
favor of Du Fay's theory is, "that when a
charged jar is discharged through a piece of
common paste board, it makes a small hole
with the outer edges turned out on both sides.
showing that the fluid has passed both ways"
1t is quite evident, in such cases, that the
fluid passes both ways, yet Franklin's theo-
ry does not preclude this. When a discharge
is passed through any thing, it is quite pro
bable that it travels the same path severa1
SAL'SSj OoNh" al diId dAd, Ill OIuCl u
restore equilibrium, thus going both ways.
Now, if Du Fay is right, that there are two
fluids, a discharge would never pass down.
ward from a cloud to the earth, but it would
always pass in the opposite direction for
according to his theory, the fluid which i
uncombined always attracts and draws tt
itself the opposite fluid which is combined
as in the case of charging the Leydeniar.-
But it is evident to all observers, that tn,
fluid does not always pass upward hence w
conclude that there are not two electric fluids
But Prof. Abernethy says, when the clou
is positive the earth is negative, and vic
versa" Then when a cloud is positive, TO
example, Ishould Ike to know what become
of the positive electricity, combined with tn
negative in the earth, before the watety va
por was condensed into a cloud? 1t must b
conveyed from the earth by some means, err
the positive from the cloud can come to tn
earth. PETO.