Experimental Researches in Electricity, Third Series
London: Richard Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street 1833. First Edition. [2], 23-54 plus one plate. 4to. 8 1/8 x 10 inches. The offprint issue, but extracted from a bound volume (trimmed, spotted page edges, stitching loose). INSCRIBED by Faraday "To Amedeo Avogadro, x x x, of Turin, from the author" in the upper right hand corner. Trimmed so that only the lower part of Avogadro's name and "auth" of "author" are present. Soft center fold. Plate in rear is foxed. Near Fine. Wraps. [24073]
"The first and second series of Experimental Researches had been concerned with the relations between electricity and magnetism. In the summer of 1832 Faraday appeared to go off on a tangent, with an investigation into the identity of the electricities produced by the various means then known. His commitment to the unity of force led him to believe that the electricities produced by electrostatic generators, voltaic cells, thermocouples, dynamos, and electric fishes were identical, but belief was no substitute for proof. Furthermore, this identity had been challenged by Sir Humphrey Davy's brother John [ and others ], who insisted that electrical effects were not produced by a single agent but were the complex results of a combination of powers." (DSB Vol 3-4, p 535)
"'The progress of the electrical researches which I have had the honour to present to the Royal Society, [ Faraday ] wrote, brought me to a point at which it was essential for the further prosecution of my inquiries that no doubt should remain of the identity or distinction of electricities excited by different means.' The Third Series of Experimental Researches in Electricity was devoted to this end. [ In this Series' experimental approach ], by criticizing the experiments of others [ Faraday ] wanted to remove the seeming obstacles to the admission of the identity of electricities and by utilizing other experiments done by himself and others he wished to establish the identity. For a scientific paper of this period it is heavily footnoted and reveals Faraday's scholarship. ... Whenever there was the slightest doubt as to the accuracy of an experiment, Faraday repeated it. The result was overwhelming and there was no doubt that he had proved his point." (L Pearce Williams, Michael Faraday, p213).
L Pearce Williams also details how these experiments sowed the seeds which eventually led Faraday to establish a solid foundation for the science of electrochemistry. As he summarized it: "Faraday could not foresee that in following out these ideas he would not only provide a solid foundation for the science of electrochemistry, but would also throw down a challenge to the physicists of his day. For here, for the first time in his work, was the denial of action at a distance." (p223)
This Third Series contains 2 papers - 7. Identity of Electricities derived from different sources., and 8. Relation by Measure of common [ static ] and voltaic Electricity. These articles are an important transitional work by Faraday, establishing that the electricities are the same regardless of source, and setting up future work that would establish the science of electrochemistry. Read Jan 10 and 17th, this is the first appearance of this lecture, in the rare offprint form. It was published in the Phil Trans: 23-54, and also in Phil Mag. 1833. It was reprinted in Faraday's famous three volume "Experimental Researches in Electricity" in 1839-55.
Avogadro, to whom Faraday inscribed this offprint, was an Italian chemist who is hailed as a founder of the atomic-molecular theory. Avogadro's law is named after him. Inscribed material by Faraday is uncommon.
References: DSB, Jeffreys #207. L Pearce Williams, Michael Faraday. Ekeloff 906a (referring to the collected Experimental Researches in Electricity).
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