Abbreviation for American Wire Gauge, q. v.

The north pole of the magnet is thus called sometimes in France; the austral pole of a magnet is the one which points towards the north polar regions As unlike magnetic poles attract each other, it is but rational to call the north-seeking pole of the magnet the south or Austral Pole. In the same [...]

A luminous display seen in the northern heavens in the northern hemisphere, where it is the Aurora Borealis, and seen in the southern heavens in the southern hemisphere, where it is called Aurora Australis, or indifferently for either, the Aurora Polaris. It takes the form of pale luminous bands, rays and curtains varying in color. [...]

The blast of air produced at highly electrified points.

An apparatus for obtaining a balance of induction from two coils acting upon a third. The third is placed between the other two and is free to move towards either. A scale is provided to show the extent of its movement. A varying or interrupted current being passed through the two outer coils, the preponderating [...]

The tendency to approach and adhere or cohere, shown by all forms of matter. It includes gravitation, cohesion, adhesion, chemical affinity and other forms, and is opposed by repulsion, and is sometimes overcome by it, although it may be assumed to be always present. See the different kinds of attractions under their titles: Atomic Attraction, [...]

The number expressing the relative weight of the atom of any substance, that of hydrogen being generally taken as unity. This is the universal system, although any other element might be taken as the basis of the system. The whole theory of atomic weights is based on the indivisibility of the atom and on the [...]

The quantivalence or valency of the atoms; the number of combination bonds, or bonds of affinity, possessed by the atoms of any substance. Thus two atoms of hydrogen combine with one atom of oxygen, and three of oxygen with one of sulphur, forming saturated compounds. Therefore, taking hydrogen as of single atomicity or a monad, [...]

The product of the atomic weight of a substance by its specific heat. This product is approximately the same, 6.4; this approximation is so close that it is of use in determining the valency and atomic weights of substances. The atomic weight of a substance therefore represents the approximate number of gram-calories required to raise [...]

The attraction of atoms for each other, in virtue of which they combine into molecules; chemical affinity, q. v., treats principally of this, although molecular attraction also plays a part in it.