Polarization and Internal Resistance of the Copper Voltameter
B. E. Moore · Physical Review · 1900
M EASUREMENTS of electrolytic polarization may be divided into two general classes.In the first class may be placed all the measurements made with the direct current.This class includes the greater part of the determinations.In the second class the alternating current has been employed.The development of this method is a comparatively recent one, but promises to yield extremely important results.This method has also afforded measurements of electrode capacity, designated by "polarization capacity "-an expression which first appeared in a contribution by Kohlrausch. 1 This term suggests that the phenomenon is limited to the electrodes and to the solution immediately adjoining them.The enormous values obtained for the capacities, 2 indicate strata so thin as to be scarcely designated as finite.Their values are a reminder of the Helmholtz charged strata theory.However, the Warburg theory, which makes it a current conduction, and at the same time recognizes that both the electrodes and the solution play important parts, is more satisfactory.The process at the electrodes is frequently complicated.Gases may be deposited and cover parts of the electrodes and thus insulate parts of the surfaces, or the gases may be occluded and form an opposing gas battery.There may be an absorption of ions in the surface of the electrodes.The liberated products may form at the surface of the electrodes a new material or the same material in a different state of aggregation.