Page:Collected Physical Papers.djvu/178

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158
MOLECULAR CHANGES BY ELECTRIC WAVES

responded, exhibiting almost its original sensibility. Observe how the subsequent portion of the curve is a repetition of the curve No. 28, and how the substance arrives at the second fatigued state b′. To observe the


Fig. 30. Curve showing the Effect of Heat and Mechanical Vibration on a fatigued Iron-filings Receiver.

* Application of heat.
Application of a tap.

effect of mechanical disturbance a gentle tap was given to the receiver, and at once there was produced an increase of resistance due to the transformation of B into A, the receiver regaining its sensitiveness by the transformation. The action of radiation was continued, and after a few reversals the substance once more arrived at the third fatigued state, b″. The process described above could be repeated any number of times.

Effect of Heat and Mechanical Disturbance on a Negative Fatigued Substance

Experiments similar to the above were carried out with an arsenic receiver. From the curve given below