The system of sound-reading in telegraphy, universally used in the Morse system. The direct stroke of the armature of the electro-magnet and its “back stroke” disclose to the ear the long and short strokes, dots and lines, and long and short spaces as produced by the dispatcher of the message. In the Morse system a [...]

A terrestrial element; the locus on the earth’s surface of no inclination of the magnetic needle; the magnetic equator. (See Magnetic Elements.)

A hydrometer or areometer used to determine the specific gravity of acid. They are employed in running storage batteries, to determine when the charging is completed. (See Areometer.)

This is also known as Sir William Thomson’s Water-Gravity Electric Machine. It is an apparatus for converting the potential energy of falling water drops, due to gravity, into electric energy. Referring to the illustration, G represents a bifurcated water pipe whose two faucets are adjusted to permit a series of drops to fall from each. [...]

Two conducting surfaces oppositely placed, and separated by a dielectric and arranged for the opposite charging of the two surfaces, constitute an accumulator, sometimes termed a condenser. As this arrangement introduces the element of a bound and of a binding charge, the electrostatic capacity of such is greater than that of either or of both [...]

(a) A term sometimes applied to the secondary or storage battery. (See Battery, Secondary.) (b) See Accumulator, Electrostatic (c) See Accumulator, Water Dropping. (d) See Wheel, Barlow’s

The rate of change of velocity. If of increase of velocity it is positive; if of decrease, it is negative. It can only be brought about by the exercise of force and is used as the measure of or as determining the unit of force. It is equal to velocity (L/T) imparted, divided by time [...]

Symbol of or abbreviation for “anodic closure contraction” q. v.

A property of the static charge. When a Leyden jar is being charged it dilates a little and the capacity increases, so that it can take a little more charge for a given potential difference existing between its two coatings. This phenomenon occurs with other static condensers, varying in degree with the dielectric. With shellac, [...]

Temperature reckoned from absolute zero (see “Zero, Absolute”). It is obtained by adding for the centigrade scale 273, and for the Fahrenheit scale 459, to the degree readings of the regular scale.