Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-08-27

glass, tno u1undi5V PhfotA-cp oAoh6 10
track, the glass to an iInpalpable powder.
A violent separation Of particle from parti-
Gle has taken place, as II the molec-
ular intershoes were filed with an
explosive substance. A blow from a hard
body or from flint shot with an enormous
velocity against the glass would drive the
particles before it, and leaves q clear open
ino. Each particle is 80 disrupted from
the adjacent ones, as to break up the cohe-
sion. while none are thrown of except OF
the surface where there is no force to
counteraot the explosive action. The pull
verified atoms must occupy more space and
naturally press outward IN the direction q
the least resistance. The burr on both
sides of a card merely indicates the strong
molecular expulsion acting from within
outward. The imprisoned air IN bodies o.
loose texture will have its influence, being
itself subject to the same disruption; but
the double burr will be produced in plates
of thin wax in which cir cannot be present
in sensible quantities. When q tree Is
riven by lightning, the splintering il
caused by the repulsiye energy acting
along the line Of discharge. If the hbers
Of the wood where the fracture takes place,
had been changed TO gun-powder or gun
cotton, and exploded, the results would
represent those effected by electricity Sc
when q body is melted by the dis
charge, the head, in producing liquidity,
certainly acts upon the MOLECULES. But it is
unreasonable to suppose that the heat ID
developed by the discharge merely on the
surface, and then passes inward by the
slow process Of conduetion. On the con-
trary it flashes into intense energy at the
same instant among the particles o.
the mass. The uncomfortable rapidity Of
the change of the solid into a liquid caused
bv electricity leaves no time for conduction.
The chemical affinity is molecular force,
no one. it is presumed, will doubt But
the verv intimate relations Of the chemical
and electrical forces-so intimate as to
induce in some minds belief
of their idontity-will hardly permit us to
assign molecular character to the one and
NOT 70 the other The light which pervades
the atmosphere for some distance around
tbe point where lightning strikes the earth
does not aeem, from the cases which the
writer has had the dangerous pleasure OF
witnessing, to be gleam or reflection from
the brighter track of the spark, but rather
q liobt produced in the air for some dis
tanee around by molecular disturbance
the same kind, but less in degree, is that
which rivals sunlight along the central
path. A green tree at which the writer
happened to be looking at the moment 1t
was struck, was covered from top to bottom
with diffused fame, in the midst Of which
thc central stream of fire cleaned
in tortuous course along the trunk.
II is not to be supposed,
however. that the electric induction,
and the tension caused by 1t which pre-
cedes discharge exists only along the line
of violent action. The line Of discharge
NAV be considered the resultant Of the
electric tension for some distance around
and along this line is expended at the mo-
ment oil the accumulated force from lnduc-
tive action. The violent disruptive effects
which occur, are adequately explained BY
the heat produced along the line Of dis
charge. No other known agency generates
heat SO suddenly and of such intensity at
the electric force. The reason Is plain.
The electric force being itself molecular,
develops, or as some would prefer, is con
verted into heat at the same instant
throughout the whole body, and its expul
sive power is exerted simultaneously be
tween all the particles, and needs no trans
fer by conduction. The violence witt
which some chemical compounds explode
is proportional, other things being equal
to the concfntaneousness Of the actor
among the particles. Allowing the velocit!
Of electricity to be the same as that 9
lioht the tiIne in which coin or metallic
button on the person would be melted, Il
inconcievablT short, less than the on'
twelve billionth part of q second. Th'
same explosive action expended on the air
causes the terrific sound Of thunder. Nea
the path of discharge 1t is crash-sharp
spiteiul. Alta distance, 1t is toned dow
by the elasticity Of the air, into a roa
which shakes the very earth.
It seems strange that some writers shoult
attribute the sound of the collapse Of tn,
air after displacement The collapse is bu
the reaction from the condensed air arounC
the line Of displacement, and, Of course
exceeds the force of displacement. Tn
latter, then, is the primary cause OF th'
sound; the collapse only represents tn
undulation with some loss of force. u
Surprise Is sometimes expressed tina
the human body, when struck, is not tori
or burned The electricity is good dea
difused through SO large and so good
conductor, but the texture Of the body II
of such nature, composed of pores ant
elastic solids Allied with liquids, that it,
particles rarely yield to the requirement.
Of the force, without disruption.
The mechanical and perhaps chemica
disturbances Of the nervous SYSTEM ever
if there be no other, are quite sufficient tc
account for the fatal effects of the electric
shock. If it Is allowable in scientific ar
ticle to introduce ones own experience oi
an electric shock more violent than. 1nt
usually takes, though not fatal-the writel
would say that the effect of q discharge
from battery of twelve jars, each one gal
lon, passed through the body, is best ex
pressed by the simple phrase, stunning
blow" y t-f' p
If the general laws of electric discharges
which have Just stated are correct, ther
our precautions for safety should conform
to them. The lightning rod is intended tc
auOIu o Ieduy PhoouBS oSV"SSa sANS 49,
and earth to any electricity which may be
accommodating. lit discharges the cleo
tricity as fast as it is generated then there
can be no collection in quantity or intensity
sufficient to cause violence. 80
The rod takes time by the forelock; il
anticipates the danger. 1t does not allow
this fierce agent 10 close up its power, but
gradually and safely transmits to earth an
amount of electric energy which, If dis.
charged at once, would have manifested in.
tense violence. If the powder in cannon
were burned grain by grain during few
seconds, it would not even move the ball,
and yet the same force has been expended,
or when exploded at once, i hurls the
missile with deadly force. Of late / have
been inclined to. consider the electricity oi
the cloud to bear to that of the earth the
relation of intensity to quantity
That an equivalency Of force may
exist between intensity and quantity ia
acknowledged by all Quantity in the gal.
vanic battery has its equivalent force in
the intense fash Of the induction coil. II
may also be admitted that quantity il the
earth is represented by intensity on the
points Of the rod In this case an indenti.
ty of action Is established between the
a. u .