Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Theory of Allotropy
When the author, about fourteen years ago, stated in an inaugural lecture that systems of one component were then and for several years had been considered to be governed by the Phase Rule, he expressed the opinion generally held by physical chemists.
It was believed, in fact, that one-component systems had been completely investigated, and that new points of view could only be obtained by the study of more complicated systems. It was not even suspected that many mysteries still remained unsolved, even in one-component systems, which only the Phase Rule could elucidate. At that time every conception was lacking in the light of which monotropy and enantiotropy and all the various phenomena associated with them could be surveyed from a single point of view.
Four years later, in 1910, the author came to the conclusion that the theoretical, knowledge gained in the phase study of more complicated systems made possible a rational explanation of these problems, and in this way the Theory of Allotropy originated. Since that time this theory has been further developed by the author, who, with the assistance of his co-workers, has also tested it in several directions.
Meanwhile, the introduction of the principles underlying this theory into the domain of electro-chemistry has resulted in the development of a new theory of electromotive equilibrium, by means of which anodic and cathodic polarisation, over-voltage and passivity can be simply and consistently explained. Subsequent experimental investigation led to results which, both from the purely chemical point of view as well as from the electrical standpoint, were in complete harmony with the theory. Amongst those who were interested in this region, many at first gained the impression that the interpretation of X-ray spectra given at that time could not be brought into satisfactory agreement with the Theory of Allotropy. As a matter of fact this was indeed the case; but, from the chemical point of view, such serious objections could be brought against the original explanation that a modification of this interpretation appeared to be absolutely necessary.
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