Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-30
ENERGY AS A FORCE
Professor Carhart Delivers His
Second Lecture
I'm THE EXTENSION COURSE
Eiecuoiysis and Second Batteries Dissert,
ed Upon-Aeuon Of Electric Currents
on Fiuids-The Trolley System.

"Very briefly. one week ago consid-
cred the primary battery ~ device
for conversion Of potential energy IN
chemical form into the energy OF an
electrical current" said Professor Car
hart in the high school building last
night. Energy u the capacity OF do
ing work or overcoming resista nee.
Electrolysls is the reverse of the pro-
cess going on in the primary battery.
For instance, the dynamo converts the
energy which passes through sn incan-
descent lamp and wastes Its energy IN
the form OF neat. This process becomes
of great practical importance because
il is used in chemical Analysis. in cleo
trotypipg in engraving and IN plating
with gold, silver and nickel;
also in extracting pure metallic
copper from its ore and finally
in the storage battery. In all
energy 10 constantly going on M the
battery; but II must be borne IN aind
that in the electrolYtlc or decomp osing
cell there is = storing of energy. This
store Of energy was painfully illustra-
ted two weeks ago by the sad accident
which shut out the light OF day from
Prof. Campbell. Why does not the de-
composing cell furnish energy to the
current, Because there are two dis
similar metals in the battery with q
solution of sulphuric acid, which acts
upon one only, while i'll the decom-
posing cell neither plate. both being
platinum, is acted upoa by the solu-
ton.
illustrations Given.
In illustration of this idea q water
wheel was shown. Attached to the
shaft was cord running over pulleys,
to which was hung u weight. Tho
force OF the water on the wheel wound
the rope on the shaft and raised the
weight. On water being turned off the
weight became the active energy and
reversed the motion TO the wheel. At
this point illustrations were shown of
the decomposition of water by means
of current of electricity froa, small
battery and an oxyhydrogen lantern.
"All liquids which conduct do so by
decomposition, and do so only by that
means, while liquids which DO 10. de.
compose or conduct are insulators. OF
this latter class arc alcohol, turpentine
and oils. 'One inch OF OIL said
Elihu Thompson, is as good n con.
ductor as twelve inches OF ar" In a
conversation with Professor Thompson,
speaking of insulation. he said by
using Oil as an insula tor in connection
with some other DEVICE, he had pro.
duced q torrent OF electric flashes
thirty-one inches long. IL there ia
energy stored up in tse decomposin2
cell, the result is n back electro motive
force. If the primary electric gen
orator is removed, then this counter
electric-motive force will itself produce
current. On this princlpis Graw
made his gas battery, In which oxygen
aud hydrogen uniting slowly produced
an electric current. Plante produced
the same result by the use Of two lead
plates in sulpheric acid. Energy can.
not he obtained without paying for it.
Either IN the waste Of zlac or some
other metal, or the waste of the coal
bin. If you, any of you young men OF
you Older men, or even you,
ladies. can get the force without
coal er the waste of some expensive
material. you will have fathoaied the
secret we are all striving for, and Incl
IDENTIFY make for fortune.
"The trollery system, about which
editors have SO much to say in con-
domination, am IN favor OF as the
best appliance and the only practical
electric motor we have. The storage
battery is expensive, can only run a
given time and wears out its machinery
very rapidly. think the trolley sys-
tenn IS deserving of q good word, and
am in favor Of it 90 long as nothing
better is invented"