Transformations of Elements

Abstract

THE theory of allotropy, starting from the supposition that every state of aggregation (phase) of a so-called simple substance (system of one component) is complex, that is, consists of different molecular species, and stating that behaviour as a simple substance is only due to the rapid establishment of equilibrium between these different kinds of molecules (inner equilibrium), has led, when applied to metals, to a theory of electromotive equilibrium. Herein it is assumed that with metals the complexity consists, in the existence of atoms, ions (of the same or of different valency) and electrons. These various particles give rise to an inner equilibrium which in the simplest case is represented by the formula: in which v indicates the number of positive charges on the metal ion, and the suffix s that the solid state is being considered.