FARADAY, MICHAEL.. - ELECTROSTATIC INDUCTION.

Experimental Researches in Electricity. - Eleventh - Thirteenth Series. (+) Supplementary Note to Eleventh Series. Received November 30, 1837 + March 29, 1838 (Suppl. Note), January 11, 1838, February 22, 1838. §. 18: On Induction + On Induction (continued) + On Induction (continued). + § 19: Nature of the electrical Current. (Comprising Sect. 1161-1306, 1307-1317, 1318-1479, 1480-1666). 3 Papers a. Supplementary Note.

(London, Richard and John E. Taylor, 1848). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1848 - Part I. Pp. 1-40 a. 1 engraved plate, pp. 79-81 (Suppl. Note), pp. 83-123 a. 1 engravd plate and pp. 125-168

First appearance of 3 fundamental papers in electromagnetic theory in which Faraday presents his discoveries of the so-called "specific inductive capacity" of the insulator, - showing that the behaviour of a diaelectric is exactly the same as that of an electrolyte up to a certain point, - that induction appears to be the first step, and decomposition the second, - that 'Insulators' "may be said to bodies whose particles can retain the polarised state, whilst conductors are those whose particles cannot be permanently polarised", - that the lines of force dispose themselves as if they were subject to a mutual repulsion, or as if the tubes of force had an inherent tendency to dilate.

From 1831 to 1852 Michael Faraday published his "Experimental Researches in Electricity" in The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. These papers contain not only an impressive series of experimental discoveries, but also a collection of heterodox theoretical concepts on the nature of these phenomena expressed in terms of lines of forces and fields. He published 30 papers in all under this general title.They represents Faraday's most importent work, are classics in both chemistry and physics and are the experimental foundations for Maxwell's electro-magnetic theory of light, using Faraday's concepts of lines of force or tubes of magnetic and electrical forces. His many experiments on the effects of electricity and magnetism presented in these papers lead to the fundamental discoveries of 'induced electricity' (the Farday current), the electronic state of matter, the identity of electricity from different sources, equivalents in electro-chemical decomposition, electrostatic induction, hydro-electricity, diamagnetism, relation of gravity to electricity, atmospheric magnetism and many other.

"Among experimental philosophers Faraday holds by universal consent the foremost place. The memoirs in which his discoveries are enshrined will never cease to be read with admiration and delight; and future generations will preserve with an affection not less enduring the personal records and familiar letters, which recall the memory of his humble and unselfish spirit."(Edmund Whittaker in A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity).

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