. The evolution of forces . t analogies with those of electric waves. § 2.—Sensitiveness of Matter to the Electric Waves The more we study matter, the more we are struckby its extraordinary sensitiveness. Under its apparentrigidity it possesses a very complicated structure andan intense life. Fragments of metal can be so actedupon at a distance of several hundred kilometres bysimple vibrations of the ether, that they become con-ductors of electric currents, the passage of whichthey at first prevent. This capacity for impressionis another hint of the relations which connect theether with matter
. The evolution of forces . t analogies with those of electric waves. § 2.—Sensitiveness of Matter to the Electric Waves The more we study matter, the more we are struckby its extraordinary sensitiveness. Under its apparentrigidity it possesses a very complicated structure andan intense life. Fragments of metal can be so actedupon at a distance of several hundred kilometres bysimple vibrations of the ether, that they become con-ductors of electric currents, the passage of whichthey at first prevent. This capacity for impressionis another hint of the relations which connect theether with matter. The reagent for electric waves employed by Hertzwas not very sensitive. It simply consisted of a Avirebent into a circle, terminating at its extremities in twoballs brought very close together. Moving this receiverabout in space, he saw break forth between the balls,on the passage of the waves, small induction sparksproduced by their action. Receiving these waves in alarge cylindro-parabolic metal mirror, he recognized. Fig. 10. Apparatus employed to discover Hertzian leaves. (Branlys filings tube and bell in circuit with single cell). To face page 143. THE ELECTRIC WAVES 143 that it was in its focus that the greatest productionof sparks was manifested. CompeUing them topass through a prism of bitumen, he observed thatihey were deviated. Thus their reflection and theirrefraction were demonstrated. Hertz receiver was not very sensitive, since it didnot reveal the existence of electric waves at morethan a few metres from their point of was fortunate ; for if Hertz had made use of thereceivers now employed for wireless telegraphy, thephenomena of reflection, refraction, and polarizationcould only have been discovered with great have often noted, in fact, that sensitive receiversplaced in the focus of the Hertz mirror, or by theside of or even behind it, give identical indications,and I shall have occasion to explain why. As hasoften been the case in
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