A unique electrode potential characteristic of a metal, and a theory for the mechanism of electrode potential

Abstract

494by operators which satisfy the condition, P2 = P. The general principles of the representation of quantum states and physical variables by sectors and matrices in Hilbertian space can then be deduced from two physical hypotheses:-' ( a)th at (under specified conditions) there is a definite probability for the transition from the state represented by P to the state represented by Q.(6) th at this probability is the same for the transitions P -> Q and Q -> pThe association of congruent transformations with unitary operators leads to the theory of dynamically conjugate variables, and completes the theory of the " effective " value of a variable, averaged over all systems in a definite state. Metal electrodes immersed in air free solutions of KC1 were found to come to a definite reproducible potential. From the Nernst expression, this potential corresponds to a certain concentration in the solution of the ion of the electrode metal. Chemical analysis showed th a t the concentration that actually exists in the bulk of the solution is much smaller than th at deduced from the potential, even after electrode and solution have been in contact for weeks. A. L. McAulay and E. C. R. Spooner. A Unique Electrode PotentialIt was felt th a t a knowledge of the cause of this definite potential was fundamental to the general investigation of the potentials of metals in solutions of varying aeration, pn , and salt concentration, a subject of great practical importance which is at present in rather an indefinite and unsatisfactory condition.Work was undertaken with a view to obtaining information about the potentials of metals immersed in air-free solutions containing few of their own ions. In most of the experiments cadmium was used as an electrode, but check experiments have been made using other metals.The results disclose a single potential to which a metal tends to come, and leads to a theoiy for the mechanism which produces this. Further work was done on solutions which had been aerated.