IT is now some time since general equations applicable to the conditions of most electrical problems have been given, and attempts, more or less complete, have been made to establish an analogy between electrical phenomena and those of ordinary mechanics. In particular, Maxwell has given a general dynamical theory of the electromagnetic field, according to which he shows the mutual interdependence of the various branches of the science, and lays down equations sufficient for the theoretical solution of any electrical problem. He has also in scattered papers illustrated the solution of special problems by reference to those which correspond with them (at least in their mathematical conditions) in ordinary mechanics. There can be no doubt, I think, of the value of such illustrations, both as helping the mind to a more vivid conception of what takes place, and to a rough quantitative result which is often of more value from a physical point of view, than the most elaborate mathematical analysis. It is because the dynamical theory seems to be far less generally understood than its importance requires that I have thought that some more examples of electrical problems illustrated by a comparison with their mechanical analogues might not be superfluous.

As a simple case, let us consider an experiment first made by De la Rive, in which a battery (such as a single Daniell cell) whose electromotive force is insufficient to decompose water, becomes competent to do so by the intervention of a coil or electromagnet.